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H04W52/0216—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame

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Y02D70/32—Power-based selection of communication route or path based on wireless node resources

Y02D70/324—Power-based selection of communication route or path based on wireless node resources based on transmission power

Abstract

The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (12) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network (10) can therefore include multiple access points (12), each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, access points (12) can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple access points (12) can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations (16) are load balanced across access points (12) so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations (16) between access points (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to wireless networks, and more particularly to wireless network configuration and power level adjustment for network performance optimization. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The proliferation of laptop and hand-held portable computers has produced a concomitant need for robust, reliable, and high performance wireless networks to maximize the mobility advantages of these devices and increase the ease of construction and management of these wireless netvaorks. Current wireless networks, such as IEEE802.1 lb, 802.11x, 802.1,1 g, (ctc) networks, are subject to certain limitations that can limit a mobile user's network performance and reliability. For instance, only a very limited number of radio channels are available. In the current state of the art, wireless access points carmot effectively share the same channel in the same area because of radio and control prot~col interference. So, bandwidth over a given area is limited by the number of non-overlapping channels available. Also, current wireless networks require manual site engineering to control the placement of access points and channel distribution between access points, raising the cost and complexity of the wireless network installation process. Furthermore, user roaming between wireless access points is inconsistent. Once associated with an access point, a user will tend to remain associated with that access point even if another access point is capable of providing higher performance for the user. It would be desirable to provide wireless networking solutions which overcome the above described inadequacies and shortcomings of current wireless networks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the principles of the invention, various apparatus, methods, and computer program products are provided to improve the performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments. For example, a mechanism is provided to enable access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. Awireless network can therefore include multiple APs9 each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimised. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimising interference with each other. Further aspects of the invention are used to cause load balancing of stations across APs so that user bandwidth is optimised. Novel movement detection schemes provide seamless roaming of stations between APs. These and further aspects of the invention enable the provision of automatically conf gurable, high performance wireless communications environments.

2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a wireless communications environment in which wireless users interact with other networked devices via an access point (AP). Figure 2 shows a wireless network in which wireless user devices, or stations (STAs), access the wireless network via an access point and share the available network bandwidth. Figure 3 shows a wireless network wherein the stations access the network via two separate access points.Figure 4 is a flow diagram representing how an AP builds a channel map for use in an automatic chamlel selection scheme.Figure 5 is a flow diagram representing an automatic channel selection method.Figure 6 is a representation of a table kept by APs for use in an alternate channel selection scheme.Figure 7 is a flow diagram representing an alternate automatic channel selection scheme.Figure 8 is a flow diagram representing a preferred embodiment of an automatic channel selection scheme.

3 Figure 9 is a representation of a Scan Table kept by APs for use in the automatic channel selection scheme of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a representation of a Channel Map kept by APs for use in the automatic channel selection scheme of Figure 8.Figure 11 is a representation of a Triplet Channel Map kept by APs for use in the automatic channel selection scheme of Figure 8. Figure 12 is a representation of a Claim APs table kept by APs for use in the automatic channel selection scheme of Figure B.Figure 13 is a flow diagram showing how an AP builds an AP KnownAPs table. Figure 14~ is an example of an AP KnownAPs table maintained by an AP, and used for power adjustmeaat. Figure 15 is a flow diagram representing the process by which an AP builds an AP AssociatedSTA table, for use in load balancing. Figure 16 is an example of an AP AssociatedSTA table. Figure 17 is a block diagram representing a general mechanism by which an APadjusts its transmit power backof~Figure 18 is a block diagram representing a preferred embodiment of the transmit power backoff mechanism of Figure 13.Figure 19 is a table showing expected standard errors related to number of power level samples.

4

5 PCT/US2004/004763 Figure 20 is a flow diagram representing the process by which an AP adjusts its transmit power backoff during STA movement. Figure 21 is a flow diagram representing an AP auction process, used for load balancing of STAB across APs. Figure 22 is a flow diagram representing the AP's handling of bids during the auction. Figure 23 is a flow diagram representing the STA initialization process.Figure 24 is a flow diagram representing a general mechanism by which a STA in a wireless communications environment canvasses channels.Figure 25 is a flow diagram representing the preferred embodiment of Figure 20 as implemented in an X02.11 wireless networking environment. Figure 26 is an example of a STA Known APs table, used by STAB for power adjustment and load balancing. Figure 27 is a flow diagram representing the process by which the STA Known APs table is built by a STA. Figure 28 is a flow diagram representing the STA power adjustment process. Figure 29 is a flow diagram representing the STA Bidding process.Figure 30 is a flow diagram representing the process by which a STA calculates corrected distances for use in determining whether to bid for an AP.Figure 31 is an example of a distance to rate table for use in an X02.11 wireless networking environment.

Figure 32 is an example of a rate to , load table for use in an 802.11 wireless networking environment.Figure 33 is a flow diagram representing the STA Bidding process in more detail.Figure 34 is a flow diagram representing the process by which a STA detects its own movement. Figure 35 is a block diagram showing the software architectures of APs and STAs.Figure 36 is a more detailed block diagram of the software architecture of an APimplementing the invention in an 802.11 wireless networking environment.Figure 37 is a more detailed block diagram of the software architecture of a STAimplementing the invention in an 802.11 wireless networking environment. Figure 38 represents the encoding of a DROP (Dynamic Radio Control Protocol) message in an 802.11 beacon frame. Figure 39 represents the encoding of a DROP message in an 802.11 data frame.Figure 4~0 is a table summarising the DROP messages used in tlae various aspects of the invention. Figure 41 is a table describing the various fields used in DROP messages. Figure 42 is a diagram of the message format of a DROP Preclaim message. Figure 43 is a diagram of the message format of a DROP Claim message. Figure 44~ is a diagram of the message format of a DROP Announce message. Figure 45 is a diagram of the message format of a DROP Bid message.

6 Figure 46 is a diagram of the message format of a DRCP Accept message. Figure 47 is a diagram of the message format of a DROP Registration Request message. Figure 4~ is a diagram of the message format of a DRCP Registration Acknowledge message.Figure 49 is a graph showing discrete measurements of received power over time from the perspective of a wireless network user.Figure 50 is a graph showing discrete measurements of received power over time from the perspective of a wireless network user, and showing the estimated average received power for the user within a 99% confidence interval.Figure 51 is a graph similar to Figure 3 showing two different estimated average received power measurements for small sample sizes and their 99% confidence intervals. Figure 52 is a graph showing tvao different estimated average received power measurements and their 99% confidence intervals, one for a large sample size and one for a small sample size. Figure 53 is a graph showing a long term average measurement and a short term average measurement with 99°/~ confidence interval, the comparison showing that it can be determined that a user has moved.Figure 54 is a table showing the number of samples that need to be taken in order to cause the long term average confidence interval range to converge toward zero.

7 Figure 55 is a flow diagram of the general operation of the method of the invention. Figure 56 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless network in which the invention is deployed, wherein an AP ascertains that a user has moved.Figure 57 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention, wherein a user ascertains that the user has moved.Figure 58 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the invention employing ring buffers. Figure 59 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention employing hatched means. DETAILED I~ESC1~IPTI~N ~F EXEI~PLAI~Y EIVI>3~I~IlI~EI~T'SIn accordance ~rith the present lnventlolh a fully automatic contr~1 system is provided for wireless communications environments. Deferring to Figure 1, a typical wireless communications environment 10 includes access devices 12 (one shown) that interface between a wired communications medium 14 and wireless devices 16 to provide network access to the wireless devices 16. Wireless devices 16 can thus communicate with wired devices 18 and with each other via the access device 12. 'These access devices 12 are referred to by various names depending upon the wireless architecture employed,

8 and are herein referred to as "access points" or "APs". The wireless devices 16 also have various architecture dependent names and are herein referred to as "stations" or STAs. Awireless communications capable device may be an AP, or a STA, or both. Various types of wireless communications environments 10 exist. Wireless communications environments include for example wireless data networks and wireless I/O channels. An example of a wireless data network is described in "IEEE Standard for Information technology-Telecommunications and information exchange between systems-Local and metropolitan area networks-Specific requirements-Part 1 l: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications-Amendment 1: High-speed Physical Layer in the 5 GHz band", incorporated herein by reference(hereinafter "02.11 "). Furthermore, various different 50.11 "modes" are defined. For example, in IEEE X02.11 compatible wireless networks, wireless devices may be arranged in an "infi-astnaeture mode", whereby the network is configured such that STAB 16 communicate with other network devices via an AP 12, as shown in Figure 1. X02.11 compatible de~rices may also be arranged in "ad-hoc" mode, whereby all the STAB 16 are within transmission range and can communicate directly with each other. Furthermore, wireless "mesh" technologies exist, whereby each wireless device acts as both an AP and a STA. Wireless Il~ channels can be used to provide I/~ communications, for example, between servers and storage devices via the "Bluetooth" Standard, or between home entertainment audio and video components , or between wireless telephone handsets and base stations. The various aspects of the

9 invention apply to generally to wireless networking architectures, including those used in wide area networks, metropolitan area networks, enterprise networks, and home networks, and wireless IIO channel architectures, as they exist now and as they are developed. According to aspects of the invention, an arbitrary number of wireless access points (APs) can be placed in arbitrary positions, and all APs and STAB will automatically configure themselves for optimal channel usage, power levels, and STA/AP associations. So, in a wireless networking environment, channel usage is optimized while interference between APs is minimized. Wireless devices such as wireless enabled laptops or hand-held computing devices or Internet protocol telephones, are transparently and seamlessly distributed between APs such that network performance is optimized from the perspective of the user of the wireless device. And, in a wireless IlO channel environment that might be employed for example in a home, audio, video, and other appliances may be moved without performance degradation, and channel usage for each appliance may be optimized so that the appliances do not interfere with each other.In order to expedite the understanding of the invention, certain examples will be described as they apply to the relatively well known 802.11 wireless LAN architecture, with the understanding that the principles of the invention apply more generally to any wireless communications environment. A preferred implementation of the inventive principles will then be described as embodied in an 802.11 wireless network The following aspects of the invention contribute to its advantages, and each will be described in detail below.1. AP Initialization: In many wireless communications environments, multiple frequencies ("channels") are available for use by APs. For example, in accordance with 802.11b and 802.1 lg, 3 non-overlapping channels are available.In accordance with IEEE 802.11 a, 13 non-overlapping channels are available. In an environment where multiple APs are employed, it will be seen that it is advantageous for the APs to use different channels to optimize performance and minimize interference. In accordance with the invention, APs perform automatic channel selection. Where multiple APs are distributed in a given area, the APs execute a distributed protocol to pick channels for earl] AP. APs close to each other use non-overlapping channels.1. AP ~ptimization:a. Power Adjustment: When the number of APs in a wireless comaxaunications enviromxaent ez~ceeds tlae number of non-overlapping channels, APs and STAB adjust their power such that APS alld STAS on the same channel can co-exist in an area without interference. For APs using the same channel, APs continually re-adjust their power levels based on environmental factors such as signal strength changes due to movement of doors, people, background noise floor, and the like, so that the users' optimal bandwidth is maintained without undue interference.

a. Auction: APs keep track of various parameters for STAs that are associated with them, and STAs will roam between APs for load balancing purposes, which can help to maximize performance over a group of STAB.1. STA initialization: STAB associate with an initial AP. Invention enabled STAs turn on functions that allow them to receive messages from invention enabled APs.1. STA optimization:a. Channel Canvassing: In order to further optimize performance, STAs periodically canvass the other channels in the band in which the STA is operating to see if a "better" AP is present. To ascertain whether another AP is "better", various parameters are considered, such as signal strength and load factors, to be further described.a. )3idding: If a better AP is found, a STA enters a bidding process to try to cause the STA to roam to the better AP. Load balancing is thereby achieved. In addition , the bidding process accommodates STA movement by causing the STA to associate to a better AP after it lass moved closer to the better AP.a. Power Adjustment: STAB perform power adjustment such that they can maintain throughput to and from their currently associated AP while minimizing the interference with nearby wireless devices that may be using the same channel.

a. Movement Detection: STAs perform movement detection so that the bidding process can be turned off while a STA is moving, and then turned back on when the STA has stopped moving. When turned back on, a "better" AP may turn up and thus the STA will bid for it.1. Software Architecture a. The above functionality is advantageously implemented in APs and STABin a modular manner for ease of transfer between platforms.a. The above functionality is described in detail as it is implemented in a preferred 802.11 network embodiment.1. Movement Detection statistical analysis: A novel scheme for highly accurate and computationally efficient detection of a change in an attribute subject to high noise variation is described, and applied to detection of the movement of wireless STAs.Since e$semplary examples will refer to the 802.11 neter~sorking enviromx~ent, the following information provides relevant context, while understandably not limiting the invention to 802.11 environments. In an 802.11 network, APs periodically send frames called "Beacons". STAs listen for Beacons. When an unassociated STA (i.e. a STA that is not yet able to communicate on the wireless network) hears Beacons at what it deems to be a reasonable power level, it can attempt to authenticate with the AP sending the Beacons, and then associate with that AP. Once authenticated and associated, the STA is able to send data frames to other STAB on the wireless network via the AP. More particularly, APs and STAB send and respond to three different types of frames, known as Class 1 Frames, Class 2 Frames, and Class 3 Frames. Class 1 Frames include control frames and management frames, and can be sent regardless of whether a STA is authenticated and associated with an AP. A Beacon is a type of Class 1 frame.Class 2 Frames are sent only once a STA is authenticated, and include for example association request / response messages. Class 3 Frames can be sent only if associated, and include data frames.In order to maximize user bandwidth and throughput, the invention automatically optimizes the operation of multiple APs for a given wireless communications environment. In accordance with the exemplary IEEE X02.11 a networking standard, I 3 non-overlapping frequencies are available for use by the APs. Each AP is capable of transmitting and receiving data at a maximum rate of 54 Mbps. The actual rate at which data is transmitted and received between an AP and a STA depends upon many factors, including the distance between the AP and the STA, the structures located between the AP and the STA, and the enviromnental interference occurnng on the particular frequency. One skilled in the art will realize that tlae invention is not limited by the maximum data rates of current wireless technology, nor is it limited by currently understood radio frequency attenuation factors. The principles of the invention will continue to be applicable as wireless technology evolves.

Consider an area such as the wireless network shown in Figure 2, wherein 8 users (shown as STAB 16), which may be mobile laptops, PDAs, and the like, share a space including a single AP 12 operating on one of the 13 available 802.11 a frequencies, denoted "fl". The 8 users 16 share the bandwidth provided by the AP 12. If all 8 users 16 are located close enough to the AP such that the AP provides a 54Mb bit maximum data rate, then all 8 users 16 share the AP's bandwidth such that each user maintains 6.75Mb throughput on average. (The invention contemplates the fact that data traffic is bursty and that a user in the present example may attain 54Mb throughput for a short interval, but for purposes of simplicity, the average throughput over time for a given user is discussed.) Now, referring t~ Figure 3, a second AP 12 has been added in the area. The second AP 12 operates on a different one of the 13 frequencies, denoted "f2", such that the two APs 12 do not interfere, nor do their associated STAB 16. As shown, 4~ of the 8 users have roamed to the second AP 12. Now each user maintains 13.SMb throughput on average. Addition of further APs on different frequencies fiarther increases user a~rerage throughput. In accordance with the invention, a Dynamic Radio Control Protocol (DROP) provides a mechanism for an arbitrary collection of STAB and APs to automatically control the frequency and power of their radios in order to extend the properties exemplified in Figure 2 to maximize overall system performance. DRCP messages are passed between APs and APs, as well as between APs and STAB to implement this functionality. Eight types of messages are used: DRCP Preclaim, DRCP Claim, DRCP Announce, DRCP Bid, DRCP Accept, DROP Registration Request, and DRCP Registration Acknowledge. DRCP Preclaim and Claim messages are exchanged between APs during APinitialization, and are used to aid automatic channel selection in accordance with the invention. DRCP Announce messages are sent by APs and received by STAB during STA optimization. These Announce messages inform invention-enabled STAB of available invention-enabled APs to which they may choose to associate, and provide information about APs that STAB can use to aid a decision as to whether to request to roam to another AP. DRCP Bid messages are sent by STAB to APs during STAoptimization. These messages inform invention-enabled APs of invention-enabled STABthat are requesting association to the APs. DRCP Accept messages are sent by APs to STAB in response to DRCP Bid messages. These messages inform a STA that it may associate with the AP it is requesting to associate with. DRCP registration request and acknov~rledge messages are esschanged by invention-enabled APs and STAB to indicate to each that the other is DRCP capable.The DRCP protocol employing these messages will first be described as used in a generic wireless communications environment. The detailed implementation of each of these messages will then be further described in terms of a preferred embodiment in an X02.11 environment.

The aspects of the invention are now described as they apply to AP initialization and optimization, and then as they apply to STA initialization and optimization. It is noted that, though many of the inventive aspects described herein with regard to STABand APs are advantageous when implemented, they are not required to be implemented in a wireless communications environment. Performance advantages are achieved when only the APs, or only the STAs, or both implement one or more of the various aspects of the invention. AP Initialization During AP initialization, APs perf~rm aut~matlc cha~~le1 selection. In accordance with the channel selection aspect of the invention, APs located in the same wireless network automatically select channels for operation such that they do not interfere with nearby APs. The invention contemplates that different bands of frequencies are a~Jailable, for e~cample based on SO'?.11 version and the country in ~rrhich the net~rrork is deployed. According to a preferred embodiment, APs attempt to select a channel, in each band in which the AP is equipped to operate, which is least likely to interfere with other APs that are already deployed. APs also quarantine channels in accordance with rules associated with regulatory domains (Europe, etc.) so they don't interfere with other wireless applications (radar, etc.). In the event that one AP selects a free channel, and another AP selects the same free channel at the same time (i.e. a channel selection "Collision"), the APs' media access control (MAC) addresses are used as a tie breaker. If the other AP is a standard AP that does not include the improvements associated with the current invention, then the invention-enabled AP will direct its own radio to the "next best" channel. The AP repeats the channel selection phase for each band of frequencies. More particularly, refernng to Figure 4, before a newly added AP 12 starts to "Beacon" (i.e. broadcast management packets to other APs and STAs), the AP 12 first examines a list of RF bands supported by the AP 12, and the list of channels supported and not quarantined by the radio which implements the Physical Layer (PHA') for each RF band. The AP 12 then selects a channel in each band according to the following algorithm: For each band:Scan Intervals occur periodically. During a Scan Interval (step 20), the AP 12 passively scans all channels which the AP supports within the band (step 22). The AP 12 gathers a list of active APs 12, the channels on which they are operating, and the power at which the beacons from each ~4P 12 was heard. This infon~aation is used to build a table called a channel map 2~ (step 26), which contains a list of all APs 12 heard from, the channel on which they were heard, and the signal strength at which they were heard.There is a separate channel map 24 for each band. The AP 12 sorts the channel map to produce a list of APs 12 in ascending order of power level (step 2~).Referring to Figure 5, a channel is now selected by the AP 12 as follows. First, the AP 12 peruses the channel map (step 30), and if there is a channel on which no AP 12 is operating (i.e. signal strength = 0) (step 32), then the AP 12 selects that channel (step 34). Otherwise, the AP 12 peruses the list for the channel transmitting the weakest signal (step 36). The AP 12 now enters a time interval referred to as the "claiming period" (step 3 8). If the AP 12 selected a channel having the weakest signal strength, the AP 12 notes the channel-ID of the channel that it has selected, the received power level on the channel, and the AP-ID of the AP that generated that power level (step 40). It will use the power level value as a baseline against which to detect increases in received power on its selected channel. If the AP 12 selected an empty channel, the baseline power level will be the AP's noise floor.The AP 12 then advertises its intention to use the selected channel by periodically transaaaitting DROP Claim messages during the claiming period (step 42). Claim messages are transmitted at full power. During this claiming period, the AP 12 receives all Beacons, DROP Claim messages, and DROP Announce messages transmitted on the currently chosen channel (step 4~4) and uses the information contained ther~:in to build an "Other APs" table 46 (Fig. 6, Fig. 5 step 4~8). For each Beacon it receives, the AP 12 notes the AP-ID and the received power level in the Other APs table 46. For each Claim or Announce message it receives, the AP 12 notes the AP-ID of the AP that sent the message, the received power level, and the transmit power backoff (TP backoff) in the Other APs table 46. The TP Backoff value indicates how far from maximum power the sending AP's radio has been turned down, and will be explained in more detail in the AP

Power Adjustment section. The AP 12 also marks the entry for that AP-ID as being DRCP capable. A normalized received power value is calculated by adding the TPBackoff value to the received power value. The normalized received power value equalizes the AP power levels for comparison purposes. When the AP 12 receives a Beacon or DRCP message from an AP for which it already has an entry, it updates the entry and stores the received power and TP backoff values as a list.If another AP 12 starts to radiate significant energy on the selected channel, one of two events must have occurred. The new AP 12 is either not running DRCP, or a conflict has occurred with another DRCP-active AP, where a race condition has caused the other DRCP-active AP to select the same channel at the same time. This is called a Channel Selection Collision (CSC).At the end of the claim period (step 50), the AP 12 stops sending Claim messages and evaluates the inf~rmation it has collected, its CSC data, to determine if a CSC has occurred. It looks to see if the received power in any entry is greater than the baseline power le~rcl it recorded for the claarmel (step ~2). If so~ it looks to see if the received pourer is exceeded in at least half of the power level values for the entry (step 54). If so, the AP 12 checks to see whether the AP in the entry is DRCP capable (step 56).If the other AP is not DRCP active, the AP 12 defers to the non-DRCP-active APand starts the entire channel selection process over again.If the other AP is DRCP-active, then a CSC is assumed to have occurred. When a CSC has occurred, the MAC address of the other AP is compared to the MAC Address of this AP 12. If the MAC address of this AP 12 is numerically higher than the observed MAC address (step 58), this AP 12 starts the channel selection process over again.If at the end of the claiming period, the AP has succeeded in claiming the selected channel, it begins running on the channel. The AP starts beaconing, begins sending DROP Announce messages, and prepares to enter the Optimization stage in order to run its Auction and Power Adjustment functions (step 60). A variation on the channel selection process of Figure 5 can be employed to improve channel selection coverage when several APs 12 are powered on all at once.Referring to Figure 7, each AP, upon power-up, sends a claim message on a first channel chosen from the channel map - for purposes of example designated channel 1 (steps 62, 64). All APs scan all channels. All APs scanning on channel 1 will hear each other's claim messages. During the claiming period, an AP will ascertain whether channel 1 is in fact available for use by it. Accordingly, the AP listens for other DROP Claim messages on the same channel, which would indicate that another invention-enabled AP is trying to use tlae same channel (step 66). The AP 12 Deeps tracl~ of the number of different APs it hears (based on AP IDs the claim messages received) and the average signal strength of claim messages from each AP. The AP 12 builds an adjacency vector (adjacency count, adjacency power total) (step 68). Adjacency count represents the number of APs heard on the channel. Adjacency power total represents the sum of the average power levels for each AP heard. Each AP sends its adjacency vector to all the other APs in its claim messages step 70. If a DRCP claim message is received (step 72), in this case on channel 1, the AP 12 first compares its adjacency count with the adjacency count received in the claim message (step 74.). If the AP 12's adjacency count is higher than that received in the claim message, this probably indicates that the AP 12 is closer to the center of the network. The AP 12 therefore continues to claim the channel during the claim period. If the AP's adjacency count is the same as the adjacency count received in the claim message (step 76), the AP 12 then compares its own adjacency total power to the adjacency total power value received in the claim message. If the AP 12's own adjacency total power is higher than that received in the claim message (step 78), this may also indicate that the AP 12 is closer to the center of the network, and therefore the AP 12 continues to send claim messages on the channel. If the AP 12's own adjacency total power is tlae same as that received (step ~0), then the AP 12 performs the previously described l~IAC address test step 82). If the AP 12 ends that its own adjacency count or adjacency power are lower thala any received in claim messages, or that in the event of a tie on these values that its MAC address is higher, it ceases to send claim messages on the channel and returns to peruse the chaaarlel map (step 84~). ~ther~~ise, tlae AP 12 continues to send Clalnl meSSageS 111Chldlng its adjacency vector (step 70). If, at the end of the claiming period (step 86), the AP 12's adjacencies are greater than other AP's adjacencies, the AP 12 has won the channel and proceeds to the AP optimization phase (step ~~). According to this method, the APs closest to the center of a mufti-AP network obtain the first channel assignments and subsequent channels are assigned to the other APs.

Referring to Figure 8, a preferred embodiment of the automatic channel selection algorithm is shown. For each band:Scan Intervals occur periodically. During a Scan Interval (step 100), the AP

scans all channels which the AP supports within the band, receiving Beacons and Announce messages (step 102). The information received in the Beacon and Announce messages is used to build a table called the "Scan table" (step 104). An example of a Scan table 106 is shown in Figure 9. The Scan table 106 includes an entry for each AP12 from which a Beacon or Announce message has been received. For each entry, there is stored the AP-ID and the channel on which that AP 12 was heard. Also stored is a "rxPowerRunningTotal" value that represents the sum of the signal strengths of each message received from that AP 12. Also stored is a "rJCPowerSampleCount" value that represents the number of messages received from the AP 12. A DROP flag is set if an Announce message has been received from tlae AP 12. T'he entryAge entry is incremented every time the channel is scanned. The "rxPowerAvg" is calculated during a Preclaim interval as will be further described.As the scan progresses, the rxPowerSampleCount values in the Scan table 10~ are monitored, and if any one of them exceeds a threshold, herein labeled "thresholdl" (step 108), the AP 12 proceeds to step 110 to build a channel map. In addition, if any entryAge value in the table exceeds a certain threshold "threshold2" (step 112), the AP12 will proceed to step 110. Also, if the number of scans completed exceeds a certain threshold "threshold3" (step 114), the AP 12 will proceed to step 110. Otherwise the AP12 continues scanning and updating the Scan table 106. An example of a preferred channel map 116 is shown in Figure 10. The channel map 116 contains an entry for each channel ID. To build the channel map, the peruses the Scan table 106 and calculates the "rxPowerAvg" value for each entry, as: RxPowerAvg[I] = Scan table[i].rxPowerRunningTotal / Scan table[i]rxPowerSamplecount;For each channel, the AP-ID with the highest rxPowerAvg value is entered in the channel map 116. The AP's rxPowerAvg value is entered into the channel map 116 as the highestPwrlevel parameter.In certain network implementations, it is undesirable to locate two operating APs 12 within a certain distance of each other, because doing so does not increase network performance and may reduce it. So, according to a preferred option, once the channel map has been assembled, the AP 12 checks the channel map to see if any of the highestPwrlevel values in the map exceed a certain threshold power level (step 11 ~). The threshold power level is chosen to indicate that the AP 12 is located too close to another AP. If any highestPwrlevel exceeds the threshold power level, the AP 12 is placed in "Standby mode" (step 120). The AP 12 in Standby mode waits for a period of time herein referred to as "Standby Interval" before returning to start another scan interval (step 122).

If no highestPwrlevel values are found to exceed the threshold power level, the AP proceeds to assemble a triplet channel map 124 (step 126). As shown in Figure 1 l, the AP 12 sorts a channel map into triplets, for example, channels 1, 2 and 3, channels 2, 3 and 4, channels 3, 4 and 5, etc.. The power heard on each channel in the triplet is averaged into a triplet average. The list of triplets is sorted in ascending order, with the triplet with the lowest average power at the top of the list. The AP 12 starts at the top of the list and looks for the first triplet in which the power heard on the center channel of the triplet is less than or equal to the power heard on the two adjacent channels, and selects this channel (step 128). If no such triplet is available, the AP selects the channel with the lowest triplet average. In the example shown in Figure 11, AP 12 chooses channel 3.This process advantageously minimizes interference between channels by selecting channels that do not tend to have high power adjacent channel usage. The AP 12 then records the baseline power for the selected channel as the highestPwrlevel value for the channel, and records the AP-ID of the AP at that power level (step 130). A Preclaim Interval is no~~,r entered (step 132). During the Preclaim interdral, the AP transmits Preclaim ixaessages on the selected charnel (step 134). The AP12 also receives Beacon, Announce, and Preclaim messages on the channel (step 136).The AP 12 uses the received messages to update the Scan table (step 138). The continues to update the Scan table until one of two Preclaim intervals expires. During the min Preclaim interval (step 140), the rxPowerSampleCount value for each AP-ID on the selected channel is checked to see if a minimum sample size threshold has been exceeded. If so, the Preclaiming interval ends and the AP proceeds to check to see whether too many APs are operating on the selected channel (step 142). Otherwise, the Preclaiming period extends until the end of the max Preclaim interval (step 144).In some network environments, and in particular environments of limited area, the operation of too many APs on the same channel does not increase network performance and may cause a performance reduction. So, according to a preferred option, the APchecks to see if there are too many APs operating on the network (step 142). The number of different AP-IDs present in the Preclaim APs table is used to make this determination.If there are too many APs operating on the selected channel at a power level greater than a defined threshold, the AP 12 enters Standby mode If there are not too many APs operating on the selected channel, the AP 12 calculates an "adjacency vector sum" (step 146). The adjacency vector sum is calculated over all APs on all channels as: Adjacency vector sum = sum(Preclaim APs[i].ReceivedPowerTotal l Preclaim APs[i].count) The adjacency vector sum is used as a tiebreaker if necessary- during tlae Claiming interval, to be further described. The AP 12 now enters the Claiming interval (step 148). During the Claiming interval, the AP 12 transmits Claim messages on the selected channel (step 150). Claim messages include the adjacency vector sum. The AP 12 also receives all Beacon, Announce, and Claim messages on the selected channel (step 152). The AP 12 uses the information contained in the received messages to build a "Claim APs table" 154 (step 156). An example of the Claim APs table is shown in Figure 12. The Claim APs table 154 contains an entry for each AP-ID. The received power level of each message received from a given AP is stored in the Claim APs table 154 as a list of values (shown as column "ReceivedPowerlevel). Furthermore, for each Announce or Claim message received, a DRCP flag is set. The AP continues to update the Claim APs table until the end of the Claiming interval (step 15~).The AP 12 then evaluates the Claim APs table 154 (step 160) to ascertain whether any other APs were heard from. If no entries exist in the Claim APs table 154 (step 162), the AP 12 has "won" the selected channel. The AP 12 can then begin Beaconing and sending Announce messages on the channel (step 164). If the Claim APs table includes one or more entries, then if the selected channel was empty at the beginning of the Claiming Interval (step 166), the AP 12 concedes the channel and returns to re-scan (step 100). ~therwise, if the channel was not empty, then if the ReceivedPowerlevel values for all entries in the table are less than the baseline level recorded during Proclaiming plus a threshold level (e.g. 2db) (step 168), then the AP has won the channel (step 164). However, if the AP does find a ReceivedPowerlevel value that exceeds the baseline power level plus the threshold level, and that entry is associated with an AP-IDthat was not the one recorded on the channel during the Proclaiming Interval, then the APchecks the entry's DRCP flag (step 170). If the DROP flag indicates that the AP-IDassociated with the entry is not DROP capable, then the AP returns back to the scan interval to re-start the channel selection process. If the DRCP flag indicates that the AP-ID associated with the entry is DROP capable, then the AP compares its adjacency vector with the adjacency vector received in the other AP's claim messages (step 172). If the AP's adjacency vector is less than the other AP's adjacency vector, the AP concedes the channel and returns to re-scan. If the AP's adjacency vector is not less than the other AP's adjacency vector, then the AP checks to see if the adjacency vectors are equal (step 174). If they are, the MAC addresses of the two APs are compared (step 176). If the AP's MAC address is greater than the other AP's MAC address, the AP has "won" the channel (step 164). ~therwise, the AP concedes the channel and returns to re-scan (step 100). One skilled in the art will realize that the MAC address comparison decision is arbitrary and can be made in the opposite manner. AP ~ptimization ~nce an AP is running on a channel, it continuously performs the follov~ing functions to optimize its configuration in the wireless LA1ZT:~ Radio Power Adjustment. Each DRCP-enabled AP adjusts its power as appropriate, to accommodate the nearest AP operating on its channel while maintaing its connection to its farthest associated STA. The AP conveys a TP backoff parameter in its Announce messages. The TP backoff value provides an indication of how far the sending AP has turned its transmit radio down. This TP backoff value is used by other APs to determine their own TP backoff values. A STA that is associated to the AP can then adopt the communicated TP backoff value to adjust its radio power, and can track this value as it changes.~ Auction. The AP runs the Auction process to accept new DRCP STAB for association, as appropriate, based on received DROP Bid messages. These two functions are now described in terms of a preferred embodiment.2.a. Radio Power Adjustment 2.a.1 AP maintained tables In order to perform Radio Power Adjustment, the AP 12 maintains a number of tables. The tables include information received from other APs and STAs operating on the selected channel. This information is used to ascertain such tlaings as power levels of other devices on the charmeh and distances bet~veea~a devices on the channel, in order to control the AP's power level.2.x.1.1 AP I~nownAPs table Each AP 12 maintains a number of tables that it consults to perform power adjustment. One such table is the AP I~nownAPs Table 200. As shown in Figure 13, once initialized on a channel, an AP 12 receives Beacons and DRCP Announce messages from all other APs 12 operating within the range of its radio, on its channel (steps 202, 204, 206). The AP 12 uses these received messages to build the AP KnownAPs table 200.For each message it receives, the AP 12 checks to see if it has an entry in the APknownAPs table for the AP-ID in the message (step 20~). If found, the AP 12 updates the entry (step 210), otherwise it creates a new one (step 212), up to a maximum of Max APs entries (step 214). The value of Max AP is design dependent. Referring to Figure 14, the AP 12 stores the following fields in the corresponding AP knownAPs table 200 entries:~ AP-ID TP Backoff Max Power DRCP capable Age Normalized power ~ Sample size ~ Corrected power The AP-ID, TP )~ackoff, and I~a~~ Power faelds ire extracted from each DP~CPAnnounce and I-Iello message received. 'The TP Backoff value is stored as a list of values for each message received from each AP-ID. The sample size is the number of TP Backoff values received for each AP-ID.Since Announce messages are only sent by DRCP-enabled APs, the AP 12 also marks the entry as DRCP-active. APs sending Beacons which contain no DRCP fields are not marked FRCP-active. For each message received, the AP adds the TP Backoff value to the received power level to determine a normalized received power level, as follows:normalized~ower = avg(received-power + tp backoff); Accounting for the TP backoff in the normalized power level provides a value that is consistent and can be used for comparison with power level measurements from other APs. Received beacons do not explicitly carry a TP backoff value, however, since beacons are always transmitted at full power they effectively carry a TP backoff value of zero. Thus, the AP 12 can update the AP I~nownAPs table 200 based on a received Beacon. In this case the AP 12 stores the TP bxckoff value as zero and sets the normalized power and the I~Iax Power to the received power level value.Additionally, the AP 12 keeps an Age for each entry. The Age is reset to zero, "0", each time a Beacon or DRCP Announce is received from the AP corresponding to the entry. Entries are aged as part of the AP Power Adjustment process.2.x.1.2 AP AssociatedSTAs table APs 12 also continuously maintain a table of the STAB 16 that are associated with it - the AP AssociatedSTA table. Referring to Figure 15, for every associated STA 16, the AP 12 monitors and collects signal strength information for data packets received (step 220). If an entry for the STA already exists in the AP AssociatedSTAs table (step 222), that entry is updated (step 224). Otherwise a new entry is created for the STA (step 226). The collected data is periodically analyzed by the AP for AP power adjustment purposes. In addition, whenever a DRCP-active STA 16 becomes associated with an AP12, it sends a Registration Request message to the AP 12. Registration Request messages are sent by the STA 16 to the AP 12 periodically until a Registration Acknowledge message is received by the STA 16. Upon receipt of a Registration Request from an STA16 (step 228), the AP 12 updates the entry in the AssociatedSTA Table and marks it as a DROP-active STA (step 230) and sends a Registration Acknowledge message to the STA16 (step 232). As shown in Figure 16, the AP 12's AP AssociatedSTA Table 240 maintains the following information about each STA: STA-ID - Ie~AC Address of the Station ~ (quiet-time - A value representative of the amount of time since data was last received from this STA~ DROP-Active - defaults to false, set to true upon receipt of a Registration Request Distance - Distance (in Danzais~ to he further described) to thin STA, calculated based on signal strength information and Th l3ackoff I~aa~ Power - list of po~,ver values Power samples - number of power samples received ~ I~Tormalized-power ~ Corrected-power ~ sta load factor - The load of this STA on this AP, see section 4.c.2.a.1.3 AP Power Adiustment During the channel selection process, the AP 12 transmits at maximum power, that is, it uses a TP backoff value of zero. Once the AP 12 has successfully claimed a channel, it calculates a TP Backoff value and adjust its transmit power for data transmissions down, in accordance with this value to minimize same channel interference and maximize channel/bandwidth re-use. The calculation of the TP Backoff value is now further described.Generally, with reference to Figure 17, AP power adjustment is accomplished as follows: The AP 12 peruses its AP I~nownAPs table (step 260). The AP 12 finds the APin the table with the highest TP Backoff value. The AP 12 then sets its own Max TPbackoff value to the highest TP Backoff value (step 262). This Max TP Backoff value, if used as the AP 12's TP Backoff value, would reduce the AP 12's transmit power to a level just below the range of the nearest AP operating on the same channel. Once the Max TP backoff is calculated, the AP then scans the AssociatedSTAtable to ascertain tlae distance to the farthest associated STA 16 (step 264). The distance to the farthest associated STA 16 is compared to the distance to the closest operating on the same channel (step 266). If the distance to the farthest associated STA16 is less than the distance to the closest AP 12, the AP's TP Backoff value is left at Max TP Backoff (step 26S). If the distance to the farthest associated STA is greater than the distance to the closest AP operating on the same channel (step 266), then the Max TPbackoff value is adjusted back down to accommodate this STA (step 270), and the AP's TP backoff is set to this adjusted value (step 272). This power adjustment is periodically repeated to account for changes in the AP I~nownAPs table and the AP AssociatedSTAs tables change (step 274). Power adjustement may be repeated every second, for example, in an 802.11 environment. In accordance with the preferred embodiment for use in a wireless data networking environment, as shown in Figure 18, APs perform the above described power adjustment as follows. First, the AP 12 checks to see if its Avoid Other WLANs flag is set (step 280). The AvoidOtherWLANs flag is a configuration parameter which can affect Power Adjustment. In many wireless networking architectures, it is possible for several APs to occupy the same channel while serving different physical networks. For example, in the 802.11 architecture, several APs can serve different ESSs. The Avoid~ther WLANs flag is false by default. When set to false, tlae AP 12 will ignore any other APs on the same channel who's physical network is different from this AP 12's physical network (e.g. ESS ID). This option is useful for cases when there are multiple APs in relatively close proximity that are on different netvrorks. In this case, the operator may prefer to run his AP at the maximum power level to provide the best possible signal for all stations on his network.If the Avoid ~ther WLANs flag is not set, the AP 12 sets its TP Eackoff to 0 (step 282). The AP 12 will therefore transmit at full power as long as the Avoid Qther WLANs flag is not set. If the Avoid ~ther WLANs flag is set, the AP proceeds with the power adjustment process and will not interfere with other APs even if they are operating on a different network. The AP 12 processes the information in the AP KnownAPs table every Hello Interval (step 284), to perform power adjustment. The Hello Interval is architecturally and design dependent. In an 802.11 environment, the Hello Interval may be for example the 100ms beacon interval. The knownAPs table entries are first aged before other processing is performed. The age of each entry is incremented (step 286), and any entries whose age exceeds Max AP Entry Age are deleted (steps 288, 290). Thus, if an APhasn't been heard from in a while, it is aged out of the table to prevent it from affecting this AP 12's power adjustment calculations.As previously described, the normalized power field of an entry, "n", of'the API~nownAPs table is determined by averaging over several received power measurement samples. The greater the number of samples used to derive the value, the more accurate the measurement. Tlae AP accounts for the inaccuracy in this value by subtracting a standard error, based on the sample size, from the normalized power level, as shown in the following formula. Note, in an 802.11 environment, the normalized power level is expected be a negative number, ranging in value from -25 to -90 d)3m. AP knownAPs[n].corrected-power= AP knownAPs[n].normalized-power-getStandardError(sample size);

In this formula, the function "getStandardError" would return the standard error for the sample size of "sample size" in each entry "n". For example, table I in Figure 19 shows the standard error values for a number of sample sizes for RF signal measurements. This formula is applied to each entry "n" in the AP KnownAPs table to calculate the corrected-power values for each entry (step 292). The AP KnownAPs table is then scanned for the entry corresponding to the APwhich was heard at the highest corrected-power level. This corrected_power level is compared to the AP 12's noise floor (step 2940. (The AP's noise floor is a measure of background power on the channel.) If the AP 12 finds that the highest corrected-power level is less than the AP 12's noise floor, then the AP 12 may transmit at maximum power without interfering with the other APs on the channel. It therefore leaves its I~ax TP Eackoff value at 0 (step 296). If the AP 12, however, finds that the highest corrected_powcr level i~ higher than the AP 12's noise floor, it needs to set a TP Eackoff to avoid interfering with that AP. In this case the AP 12 calculates Max TP >3ackoff by subtracting its noise floor from the corrected_povJer associated with that AP (step 29~).~nce it has calculated Flax TP l3ackoff, the AP 12 must then determine if there are any associated STAB 16 that are farther away (ie who's signal strength is weaker than) the highest~ower AP. The AP 12's AssociatedSTAs table is analyzed to find the STA 16 that is the greatest distance from the AP (step 300). The normalized_power and sample size values for this STA are used to calculate a corrected-power value for this STA as previously described. The lowest power STA's corrected_power level is compared to the AP 12's noise floor (step 302). If the corrected-power level is less than the noise floor, then the AP 12 needs to run at full power to cover the STA, so the AP TPBackoff value is set to 0 (step 304). If the corrected_power level is greater than the AP12's noise floor, then the STA TP Backoff value is set to the corrected-power level minus the noise floor (step 306). Next, Max TP Backoff is compared to STA TP Backoff (step 30S). The AP's TPBackoff ("my TP BackofP') is sat to the lower of the two backoff values to avoid interference with the closest AP while ensuring coverage for the farthest STA. So, If STA TP Backoff is less than Max TP Backoff, then my TP Backoff is set to the Max TPBackoff value (step 310). If STA TP Backoff is greater than Max TP Backoff, then the my TP Backoff value is set to the STA TP Backoff value plus some minimum signal-to-noise ratio (step 312).The AP 12 then adjusts its transanit power by the value of my TP Backoff (step 314), and uses my TP Backoff as the value of TP Backoff in its Announce messages.According; to the preferred embodiment the AP will transmit data at a po~rex level adjusted by TP Backoff, but will trannasit I~I~CP management messages (e.g. Claim, Announce, Accept) at full power. So, APs can always hear management messages passed between each other.Furthermore, various different wireless networking architectures may provide a mechanism for clearing the wireless channel, further increasing the probability that the management messages will be received. For example, in the X02.11 architecture, the AP

issues a Clear to Send (CTS) message to clear the channel (step 316), and then sends a DROP Announce message at maximum power (step 318). After sending the Announce message at maximum power level, the AP resumes use of its calculated TP backoff value for data packets to minimize same-channel interference, as described above.2.a 1 3.i AP Power Adjustment DuringLStation Movement When a STA 16 is associated with an AP 12, the AP 12 keeps track of the distance between the STA 16 and the AP 12. If the AP 12 is using a non-zero TPBackoff value, and the AP 12 ascertains that the STA 16 is moving out of range of the AP 12 at backed off power, then the AP 12 can adjust its TP Backoff value to accommodate the STA 16's movement.The distance between an AP 12 and an associated STA 16 is calculated and stored in the AssociatedSTAs table in units of "Banzais". The Banzai is a unit of distance derived frorxa a meas~arernent of received signal strengtla from an AP 12 operating with a known trmsmit power backoff. In an 802.11 environment, for es~ample, a received signal strength measurement is generally expected to range in value from -25 dBm to -90 dBm, but depending upon possible antenna gain at the high end or sensitivity at the low end, may range from 0 dBm down to -100 dBm. A transmit power backoff is generally expected to range in value from 0 dB to 65 dB. Given a received signal strength measurement of "received_power" and transmit power backoff of "TP BackofF' from an AP, the distance to that AP in Banzais is calculated as follows:distance in banzais = ABS [ MIN [0, (received-power + tpbackoff) ] ] Algorithms for movement detection are described in more detail later. For purposes of AP power adjustment, as previously described, the AP 12 collects multiple samples of received_power and TP Backoff values for each STA 16 over time, and the distance between the AP and the STA is calculated over all these samples. The detects movement by continuously checking to see if the difference beivveen the distance to each station, derived from a set of long term samples, is sufficiently smaller that the current distance measurement based on the nlo5t recently collected samples, to indicate that the STA 16 is moving away from its AP 12.If the AP 12 detects that the STA 16 is moving away and the STA 16 is within a given Short Term Standard Error Banzais of the current edge of the transmit signal (based on the current TP Backoff), then the AP 12 switches to a TP Ba~ckoff of 0 until it no longer has any moving STAB associated with it. More particularly, referring to Figure 20, to detect STA movement, the AP 12 collects a long term samples of distance values for a STA 16 (step 320), and then continuously collects short term sample size distance values for the STA 16 (step 322).The difference between the long term distance and short term distance values is compared to a Moving Threshold value plus the standard error in the two distance measurements in order to eliminate false movement detection. (See section 6 for more information.) A station is considered to be moving when the short term distance exceeds the long term distance by more than the Moving Threshold plus the sum of the errors in the two measurements. 'The following pseudo code describes this comparison. IF ((AssociatedSTAs[n].short term distance - AssociatedSTAs[n].distance) >(movingThreshold + IongTermStdError + shortTermStdError)) (step 324) THENmoving = TRUE (step 326) ELSE moving = FALSE; (step 328) If the AP 12 detects that the STA 16 is moving, the AP 12 sets its TP Backoff to 0 so that it transmits data at maximum power (step 328). The AP 12 remains at maximum power until it detects that the STA 16 is no longer moving, or quiet. If the determines that it is no longer moving before the STA 16 loses the association to its AP, the AP 12 resumes normal processing of received signal strength to determine a new appropriate TP Backoff value as previously described (step 334).~nce the AP 12 detects that the STA 16 is moving, it begins using another test to detect when the STA 16 has stopped moving. To detect that the STA 16 has stopped moving, the AP 12 compares the distance to the STA 16, derived using the Long Term Sample Size, to the distance derived from the most recent Short Term Sample Size samples. The AP 12 looks to see when this difference is less than just the standard error in the two measurements to determine that the STA 16 has stopped moving. This test is performed as follows (step 330):

IF ((AssociatedSTAs[n].short term distance - AssociatedSTAs[myAP].distance) < (longTermStdError + shortTermStdError)) THENmoving = FALSE; (step 332) 2.b AP Auction The purpose of the Auction is to accomplish the distribution of STAs 16 across APs 12 in a manner that optimizes wireless communications performance. The goal is to have STAB 16 associate to their nearest AP 12 while taking loading (the sum of the individual loads of the STAs 16 already associated to the AP 12) into account. This allows the RF footprints of the APs 12 and STAB 16 to be minimized, while ensuring that no AP 12 is overloaded. STAB 16 learn of available APs 12 through the Announce messages transmitted by the APs 12. As will be further described with regard to STA optimization, a calculates a "biased distance" to each AP 12 it hears from, including its own AP, using the received power and loading information from the Ara~aoun ce messages. A

vzrill send a Bid message, to an AP that is "better" than the STA's current AP, wlaere better means that the AP has a lower biased distance. The Bid message contains the value of the difference between the biased distance from the STA 16 to the destination AP 12 and the biased distance to the STA 16's current AP. This value is called the biased distance delta.In particular, referring to Figure 21, the AP 12 collects any received Bids over a period of Auction Interval (steps 340,342). If a Bid is received from a STA 16 from which a Bid has already been received (step 344), the new bid information replaces the previous bid information (step 346). Otherwise a new entry is created for the (step 348). In either case the bid entry's age is reset (step 350).At the end of Auction Interval (step 352), the AP 12 processes the received bid information. (The Auction Interval in an exemplary 802.11 environment may be on the order of, for example, 7.5 seconds.) The age of all bid entries is incremented by one (step 354) and then any bid entry whose age is greater than Max Bid Age is deleted (step 356). The list is then sorted by biased distance delta value (step 358).The AP 12 selects the bid entries with the highest biased distance delta values, up to acceptsPerAuction entries, and sends a DROP Accept message to each of the corresponding to those entries (step 360). The IDs of each STA 16 being sent an Accept is put in a list of outstanding accepts (step 362)9 and a count of accepted STAB who have not yet associated and registered is noted as numAccept'sOut (step 364). At this point the next auction period begins.In addition to receiving DI~.CP Bids, tlae AP 12 also receives an indication any time a STA 16 associates to the AP 12. I~eferxing to Figure 22, on receipt of the indication (step 366), the AP checks to see if it has bid information from the newly associated STA 16 (step 368). Any bid information found for the newly associated STA16 is deleted (step 370). The AP 12 also checks to see if the STA 16 is in the list of outstanding accepts (step 372), and if the STA 16 is in the accepts outstanding list that i entry is deleted (step 374) and the numAcceptsOut count is decremented (step 376). At the end of the Auction Interval, any outstanding accepts from the previous auction cycle are considered to have timed out, hence the list of outstanding accepts is emptied and numAcceptsOut is reset. These processes continue as long as the AP 12 is active on a given channel.3. STA Initialization:The purpose of the STA initialization phase is to find and associate to a suitable AP 12 to provide the STA 16 with access to the wireless LAN, and to prepare for the operation of the DROP protocol and algorithms. Referring to Figure 23, when started, the STA 16 produces a list of channels supported by the STA 16 (step 350). In mufti-PHA-variant STAB (e.g., STAs supporting multiple bands such as 502.1 la/b/g), the claannel list will include all of the channels that are supported across the various supported bands.First, the STA 16 scans for beacons on all channels across all supported bands (e.g., STAs supporting rraultiple bands such as 502.11 a//b/g will scan all channels In each of the a, b, and g bands.) (step 352) The AP 12 that is received at the greatest signal strength is selected (step 354).Preferably, where multiple bands are supported, the selection of an AP 12 also takes into account a preference for the higher bandwidth bands so that, for example as implemented in an 502.11 environment, an AP 12 on an 502.11 a or 502.11 g channel is given some preference to one operating on an 502.1 lb channel.

Once an AP 12 is chosen, the STA 16 authenticates and associates to that AP(step 386). Any security policies that control association are executed at this point.During initialization, the STA 16 also enables the DRCP protocol so that the STA16 will receive DRCP Announce messages (step 388). The STA 16 then proceeds to the STA optimization phase (step 390).4. STA Optimization Once it has made its initial association and has access to the wireless LAN, the STAcontinuously performs the following functions to optimize its configuration:Canvassing. The STA periodically tunes its radio to listen on other channels, while retaining its association to its AP on its operating channel. This canvassing of other channels is done to allow the STA to receive DRCP Announce messages from APs operating on other channels. Bidding. Tlae STA receives and processes DRCP Announcements from all APs that are operating within its range on any of its supported channels. It evaluates the received power and loading information from the Announce messages and if it finds an AP to which it would be more optimally associated than its current AP, the STAmakes a bid to move to that AP.~ Radio Power Adjustment. The STA adopts the TP Backoff value communicated in Announce messages from its AP, tracking this value as it changes.

~ Movement Detection. The STA continuously checks to see if it is moving away from the AP to which it is currently associated. If it detects that it is moving, it stops participating in the DRCP bidding process and adopts a process of next AP selection that is invoked when the association to its AP degrades. These functions are described more particularly as follows:4.a STA Canvassing The process by which the STA 16 canvasses the other channels to determine whether to send a DRCP Bid message is now described in further detail. In order to monitor DRCP Announce messages, a STA 16 periodically tunes its radio to the channels other than the one to which it is currently associated. However, the STA 16 must remain associated to its current AP 12 so that it does not lose data packets. So, packets must be buffered during the time that the STA 16 is canvassing. Various wireless comnnunications architectures may provide different means for packet buffering.Generally, referring to Figure 24, during a periodic scan interval (step 400), the STA 16 causes the AP 12 to which it is currently associated to temporarily buffer the packets destined for the STA 16 (step 402). Packet buffering can be initiated in a variety of ways. For example, the STA 16 may send a DRCP message to the AP 12 to cause the buffering, or the AP 12 may periodically turn on buffering and notify the STA 16 that it has done so. While the STA 16's packets are being buffered, the STA 16 tunes its radio to another channel and listens for Beacons and DRCP Announce messages on that channel (step 404). This information is used by the AP 12 to determine whether to bid for another AP. When the scan interval is complete, packet buffering is turned off and the STA 16 receives its buffered packets from the AP 12 (step 406). Figure 25 sets forth a STA canvassing mechanism for use in an 802.11 wireless networking environment. The 802.11 architecture conveniently provides a power save mode that, in accordance with the principles of the invention, can be used for this purpose.The 802.11 power save mode is intended for use by STAs 16 so that they can tum off their radios for periods of time in order to save power. STAs 16 can indicate to APs 12 that they are entering this power save mode. In response, APs 12 buffer tlae STAB' packets while the STAB 16 are 6'sleepmg". APs 12 periodically send special Beacon messages to the STAB 16. STAB 16 wake up in response to these special Beacon messages. These Beacon messages include information as to whether any data is buffered for the STA 16. The STA 16 '6wakes up" if data is buffered for it. STAB 16 operating in an 802.11 environment in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention use the 802.11 power save mode to go off channel and canvass other channels for DRCP Announce messages. After the channel canvass is complete, the STA 16 reverts to normal power save mode. Stations that have not been set to Power Save Mode by management are caused by the STA 16 to act as if they've been set to the Power Save Mode. STAB 16 that have already been set to Power Save Mode by management will have even more time to canvass.In particular, referring to Figure 25, at the start of a scan interval (step 410), the STA 16 inquires about the current state of its power save mode. The power save mode that was set by management (active, power save) is remembered (step 412). The power save mode is set to power save, and the listen time (time the STA 16 stays asleep), if any, is increased by a period of time herein referred to as scan time (step 414). At the beginning of the power save cycle, the STA I6 actually stays awake temporarily, instead of dozing as it told the AP it was going to do. It is during this time that other channels are canvassed for beacons and DROP Announce messages (step 416). After the canvass is done the STA 16 resumes its power save cycle (step 4I8). This process repeats every scan interval. Whenever the STA 16 is not canvassing, it restores the remembered management set power save mode. The scan interval may be for example twice per Beacon interval. Stations that have not been set to Power Save Mode by management are caused by the STA I6 to act as if they've been set to Power Save Mode, with listen interval set to the minimum value (i.e., every Beacon). STAs 16 that have already been set to Power Save Mode by management will have the most amount of time to canvass.During the canvass time the STA 16 tunes its radio to a different channel in order to passively listen for beacons and DROP Announce messages. The STA I6 keeps track of which channels have been canvassed, stepping through all of the channels until all supported channels have been canvassed. The STA 16 keeps track of all DRCP Announce messages, and the power level at which they were received.4.a.1 STA KnownAPs Table The STA 16 receives beacons and DRCP Announce messages from all APs 12 within the range of its radio. These are processed to build a table of all known APs 12, the "STA knownAPs" table 430, as shown in Figure 26. The STA knownAPs table includes the following parameters for each entry: AP-ID~ age Chaillael ID Load factor TP l3ackoff Max Power Distance samples ~ Distance ~ My load factor ~ Biased distance The STA Known APs table 4.30 is built as shown in Figure 27. For each Beacon or Announce message received (steps 432, 434), the STA 16 checks to see if it has an entry in the STA I~nownAPs table 430 for the AP-ID in the message (step 436). If found, the STA updates the entry (step 438), otherwise it creates a new one (step 340), up to a previously set maximum herein referred to as Max APs entries (step 442).

The STA 16 stores the following fields from received beacons in the STAknownAPs table entries:~ AP-ID~ Channel ID~ Max Power The STA 16 stores the following fields from received Announce messages in the corresponding STA knownAPs table entry:~ AP-ID~ ChannellD Received Power ~ Load Factor TP Backoff The STA 16 also notes the received power level that accompanied the beacons and .Announce messages and uses these values along with the TP backoff values to calculate the distance to the APs in Banzais, as previously described. (Again, since non-DRCP APs will always send beacons at full-power, the TP Backoff value for these is set to 0.) The Received Power and TP Backoff entries are lists, where each entry in each list corresponds to a Beacon or Announce message received for the corresponding AP-ID. The received power level value and correspondingly, the distance in Bar~ais, are subject to variability in the RF channel. The STA 16 saves a number of these distance measurements far each entry in the knownA.Ps table, so that it can use averaging to compensate for this variance, to be further described. For its own AP (i.e. the AP to which the STA is currently associated), the STA 16 averages over a relatively large number of distance values, herein referred to as "Long Term Sample Size" distance values. For all other entries, the STA uses fewer, "Bid Sample Size", distance values.Additionally, the STA keeps an Age for each entry. The Age is reset to zero, "0", each time an Announce message is received from the AP corresponding to the entry. Entries are aged as part of the STA Bidding process, described below.4.b STA Power Adjustment lZeferring to Figure 2S, an associated and registered STA 16 receives all Announce messages from the AP 12 to which it is associated. Upon receipt of an Announce message (step 556)9 the STA notes the TP Backoff value in the Announce message and adopts that value as the STA's own TP Backoff (step 558).4.c STA Bidding Each time the STA Canvassing function completes a canvass of all channels, the STA 16 analyzes the information in the STA knownAPs table to see if there is a potential "better" AP 12 with which to associate. The notion of what constitutes a better AP takes into account the distance to the AP in Banzais, the available data rate, and the loading (number of associated STAs) on the AP, if known.Referring to Figure 29, the STA Bidding process operates generally as follows.When the canvass is complete and a sufficient number of samples have been collected on each channel (step 450), the STA knownAPs table 330 entries are aged before other processing is performed (step 452). The age of each entry is incremented, and any entries whose age exceeds Max AP Entry Age are deleted (step 454). Since the age field is cleared each time an Announce message or Beacon is received, this aging process will eliminate APs from whom nothing has been heard for "Max AP Entry Age" bidding cycles. As mentioned, the STA 16 uses averaging to compensate for variance in its distance measurements. It requires Long Term Sample Size distance values for the STAknownAPs entry corresponding to its AP, before it performs further processing of the table (step 456). ~nce tlae STA 16 has Long Term Sample Size distance ~ralues for its own AP, it then waits until it has Bid Sample Size distance values for all entries in the knownAPs list at that time before it begins looking for a better AP (step 458). This is to avoid making a decision io move to a new AP before it has sufficient information about the other APs in the network. However, to avoid the potential fox waiting indefinitely, it will not delay processing the knownAPs list for any new APs that were added after it has Long Term Sample Size distance values for its own AP.

Working with the entries for which there are sufficient distance measurement samples, the STA 16 looks for a potential better AP. In summary, a biased distance is calculated for each entry, which takes into account the available data rate as well as the loads on the APs (step 460). The data rate is deduced based on the received signal strength and the technology being used (i.e., in an 802.11 environment, the 802.11 mode of operation (a,b,g)). After calculating the biased distances for all of the entries in the STA knownAP table, the AP with the lowest biased distance is considered to be the best candidate and, if it appears better than its current AP (step 462), a Bid is sent (step 464). More particularly, referring to Figure 30, for each entry "n" in the STAknownAPs table (denoted I~nownAPs[n]), the foilowing processing is performed on entry knownAPs[n]. An index of "myAP" corresponds to the entry for the AP to which the STA is currently associated, i.e., knownAPs[myAP] is the entry for the STA 16's current AP. As previously described, the distance field in the STA knownAPs table 430, knoeva~Ps[n].distance per entry, is the distance in Banzais, to the corresponding AP, averaged over a number, Bid Sample Size, of measurement samples. As previously noted, this value is subject to variance in the l~F channel. The bid selection process should preferably yield the choice of a "better" AP only when the new AP actually would provide better performance for the STA, and not when the new AP simply appears to be better due to this variance. The variance in the new AP's distance measurement is represented by a "Bid Sample Std Error" value related to the bid sample size, and the variance in the current AP's distance measurement is represented by a "Long Term Std Error" value related to the long term distance sample size. It is advantageous to minimize the error in the distance measurement for a given entry n, in comparison to the STA's current AP. This is done by using a corrected distance that is set to the distance to the STA's current AP, if the entry falls within the sum of the standard errors on the two distance measurements. The corrected distance, "corrected distance", is determined as follows: IF ( ABS [knownAPs[n].distance - knownAPs[myAP].distance](Bid Sample Std Error + Long Term Std Error) ) (step 470) THENcorrected_distance = knownAPs[myAP].distance (step 472) ELSE corrected distance = knownAPs[n].distance; (step 474) 4.c.1 Distance to Load Factor conversion The corrected distance to each AP 12 is recorded in the STA knownAPs list. This distance is then used in conjunction with data related to the particular wireless envlrollmellt in which the AP 12 is operating to derive an estimate on the expected load factor for the STA. For example, in an X02.11 environment, the distance and 802.1 Imode (a,b,g) are used to retrieve the expected data rate for the STA 16 from the distance to rate table:hnownAPs[n].data rate = disiance_to_rate [lcnownAPs[n].mode ][ knownAPs[n].corrected distance ] ;(step 376) An example of distance to rate calculations for 802.11 modes is shown in Table II in Figure 31.Then, the expected load for this datarate is retrieved from the rate to load table:knownAPs[n].my load factor = rate to load[ knownAPs[n].data rate ]; (step 478) An example of a rate to load table for 802.11 networks is shown in Table III in Figure 32. ~ne skilled in the art will realize how to implement distance-to-rate and rate-to-load tables from specifications for other wireless environments. The corrected distance and my load factor parameters are determined in this manner for each entry n in the STA Known APs table 430.Any entries in the knownAPs list that represent non-IH~CP APs need to be given default values for their load factors so that they can be considered by the Stations for associations as well. These default load factors are derived from a default number of STAB per AP value that should be consistent across the network and a default "average data rate" per technology. That is:if (knownAPs[n].I~RCP_Enabled - FAL,SE) then knownAPs[n].load factor = STAB-per_AP '~rate t~ load [ default rate [ knownAPs[n].mode ] ];

When determining the load of the STA 16's current AP (myAP), when myAP is a non-DRCP AP, then its default load factor value is preferably incremented by the STA's load on that AP. This helps to support a consistent view of the load of that AP both before and after a STA associates with it - that is, since the STA adds its own load to the default load of its prospective (non-DRCP) AP before it makes a decision to associate with it, it must also add its load to the default load for this AP after it has associated with it.4.c.2 Biased distance calculation Using the my load factor to the AP 129 the load factor currently on the AP 12 (received from Announce messages) and the c~rrected distance to the AP 12, the calculates a biased distance value to account for the 1~ading on the prospective AP 12 in comparison to the loading on the STA 16's current AP, as shown in Figure 29. The biased distance is calculated as described by the follovring formula:knownAPs[n].biased distance =knownAPs[n].corrected distance ~°(knownAPs[n].load factor+knownAPs[n].my_load_factor)/knownAPs[myAP].load factor) (step 490) 1'lext, a biased distance to the STA 16's current AP 12 is calculated to account for the loading on the current AP 12 relative to the loading on the prospective AP. This calculation is made as follows:

knownAPs[n].my_ap rel_biased_distance =knownAPs[myAP].distance knownAPs[myAP].load factor/(knownAPs[n].load factor+knownAPs[n].my load factor) (step 492) Finally, the difference between the biased distance to the prospective AP and the relative, biased distance to the STA 16's current AP is determined, as follows:knownAPs[n].biased distance delta =knownAPs[n].my ap rel_biased_distance - knownAPs[n].biased distance (step 494) After calculating the biased distances and biased distance deltas for all of the APs in the knownAPs list, the STA 16 checks to see if any of the biased distance delta values are positive (step 496). If not, then the STA 16's current AP is still the best AP, so the STA16 remains associated with its current AP (step 4~9~). ~f any positive biased distance delta values, the best AP is the one with the highest positive biased distance delta value (step 500). If the best AP is not DRCP enabled (step 502), then the STA 16 associates v~ith that AP (step 504). If the best 1-~P is a I9RCP AP (step 502), then a Bid is sent (step 506) and the STA 16 resumes normal operation until it either receives a I)RCP Accept or it completes another Canvass Sample hTumber passes of all channels. If there is more than one AP with the same highest biased distance delta values (step 508), the STA 16 checks to see if any of them is the last AP to which it Bid (step 510) and if so, it selects that one again (step 512).

If a DRCP Accept is received with the AP-ID matching the selected APs AP-ID(step 514), the STA sets its TP backoff value to zero (step 516) and associates with the AP from which the Accept was received (step 518). The STA 16 now sends a DRCPRegistration Request to the AP (step 520) and starts a timer (step 522) to go off every Registration Timeout Interval. When the timer expires (step 524), the STA 16 sends out another DRCP Registration Request and resets the timer. Upon receipt of a DRCP Registration Acknowledge (step 526), the timer is disabled (step 528). If no DRCP Accept is received (step 414) in response to the STA's Bid message after a certain period of time (step 530), the STA remains associated with its current AP. After the STA 16 has associated with a new AP, the STA 16 waits until it has collected a large number, Long Terra Sample Size, of distance measurements to its new AP before it resumes this process of evaluating the knownAPs table for bidding.4.d STA Movement Detection When a STA 16 is associated with an AP 12, the STA 16 receives DRCPAnnounce messages from all APs 12 within the range of its radio. Referring to Figure 34, once the STA 16 has collected Long Term Sample Size of distance measurements from Announce messages received from its AP 12 (step 540), it can begin the movement detection process.

The STA 16 continuously collects Short Term Sample Size distance values to the current AP (step 542). To detect movement, the STA 16 compares the distance to its AP12, derived from averaging over the long term using Long Term Sample Size, to the short term distance, derived from averaging the most recent Short Term Sample Size samples.This difference is compared to a Moving Threshold value plus the standard error in these two measurements in order to eliminate false movement detection. A station is considered to be moving when the short term distance exceeds the long term distance by more than the Moving Threshold plus the sum of the errors in the two measurements. The following pseudo code describes this comparison. IF ((knownAPs[myAP].short term distance - knownAPs[myAP].distance) >(movingThreshold + longTermStdError + shortTermStdError)) (step 544) TFIE1~Tmoving = TI~tJE (step 546) ELSE moving = FALSE; (step 547) Once the STA 16 detects that it is moving (step 446), and as long as the STA

does not detect that it has stopped moving, the STA 16 refrains from participating in the bidding process (step 54~$), seeking a new AP only if warranted by the deterioration of its current association. If the STA 16 determines that it is no longer moving before the STA16 loses the association to its AP, the STA 16 resumes normal operation including participation in the bidding process.5$

As in movement detection, to detect that the STA 16 has stopped moving, the STA 16 compares the distance to its AP 12, derived using the Long Term Sample Size, to the distance derived from the most recent Short Term Sample Size samples. The looks to see when this difference is less than just the standard error in the two measurements to determine that the STA 16 has stopped moving. The following pseudo code describes this test. IF ((knownAPs[myAP].short term distance - knownAPs[myAP].distance) <(lon~gTermStdError + shortTermStdError)) (step 550) THENmoving = FALSE (step 552) If the STA 16 determines that it has stopped moving, the bidding process is restarted (step 554).5. Sofhvare Architecture In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the previously described functionality is implemented in software in l~Ps 12 and STAB 16 respectively. Deferring to Figure 35, the software is implemented in accordance with a layered architecture, such that it contains a platform dependent module that interacts with a platform independent module. This architecture is advantageous for porting the inventive functionality between different wireless architecture platforms. As shown each AP 12 includes a platform independent module 560 that interacts via an AP API 562 with an AP platform dependent module 564. Likewise, each STA 16 (one shown) includes a STA platform independent module 566 that interacts via a STA API 568 with a STA platform dependent module 570. In environments where the APs 12 are connected to each other via a wired network 14, DRCP messages may be passed directly between the APs 12 via the wired network 14. In environments where the APs are interconnected via only the wireless network 15, APs 12 interact with each other and with STAB 16 by passing DRCPmessages to the respective platform dependent layer, which causes wireless platform specific protocol messages to be passed between the APs 12 and STAB 16 to implement the DROP protocol.Referring to Figure 36, there is shown a representation of the AP architecture of Figure 35 as it applies to in an 802.11 netv~orking environment. The AP Radio Management Agent (ARMA) 580 is the platform independent layer of the software. The AP Radio Manager (ARM) 582 is the platform dependent layer of the software. The ARM software is actually implemented within several different 802.11 platform specific elements of the AP. More information ~n these elements call be f~und in the incorporated 802.11 specification. Referring to Figure 37, the Station Radio Manager (SRM) 584 is the platform dependent portion of the STA software. As shown, the SRM communicates with various 802.11 platform specific elements. The Station Radio Management Agent (SRMA) is the platform independent portion of the STA software. Likewise, the AP radio manager is the platform dependent portion of the AP software, communicating with 802.11 platform specific elements. SRMAs communicate with ARMAs through the use of DROP messages as previously described. These DROP messages are now described in further detail. Generally, DROPmessages could be encoded as standard LLC data frames, and the invention does not preclude such an implementation. But, according to the preferred embodiment as implemented in an 802.11 networking environment, DROP management messages are encoded as new types in existing Class 1 Frames. DRCP messages are addressed either to a Group MAC Address, or to an individual MAC address, and are distinguished by the presence of the DROP Protocol Identifier in the Protocol Identification Field of a SNAP PDU. The DRCP messages are now described in detail as they operate on an IP V~LAN. Some DROP messages are transmitted as IEEE 802.11 MAC management frames of subtype Beacon on the wireless LAN only, while others are transmitted as data frames encoded as LLC 1 Unnumbered SNAP PDUs on the wireless LAN or the wiredlwireless net~rork between APs. Figure 38 shows the encoding of a DROP message in an IEEE 802.11 Beacon frame. The DA field is set to a specific DROP group MAC address as appropriate to the message type, and the BSS ID is a DROP specific BSS-ID. The fixed portion of the Beacon frame is as defined in the 802.11 standard, and the variable portion of the frame is replaced by the information element created to carry a DROP protocol message. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is desirable for DROP enabled APs to perform automatic channel selection and load balancing by exchanging DRCP Claim, Preclaim, and Announce messages in management frames of subtype Beacon, while preventing STAB from attempting to associate with an AP in response to receipt of one of these messages. Several steps are therefore taken in addition to the DRCP protocol specific address fields already mentioned. First of all, the "Element ID" field includes an OUI specific to the DRCP protocol, which alerts DRCP enabled APs and STAB that the frame holds a DROP message. Furthermore, standard (non-DRCP) 802.11 Beacons include in the body of the frame field certain fields such as "Supported Rates", "FHParameter Set", "DS Parameter Set", "CF Parameter Set", etc. (Refer to the incorporated 802.11 standard document for more information.) Management frames of type Beacon encoding 802.11 Claim, Preclaim, and Announce messages eiiher do not include these fields, or set them to a null value. Non-DRCP STAB that might othea-~7vise attempt to use the DRCP Beacon type frames for association cannot do so due to the lack of this information. Figure 3~ shoves the encoding of a FRCP message within an 802.11 MAC Data frame, of subtype Data. DRCP messages are addressed either to an individual I~ACaddress or to one of the DRCP Group MAC addresses, and are distinguished by the presence of the DRCP Protocol Identifier in the Protocol Identification Field of a SNAPPDU. DRCP messages that are transmitted over the DS may be formatted as shown, or may be similarly encoded in another MAC data frame depending upon the DS media.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the SRMAs and ARMAs interact with the SRMs and ARMs to generate andlor collect information needed to produce or interpret DRCP protocol messages. It is noted that the DRCP protocol could be implemented over non-802-11 primitives without departing from the principles of the invention. The following describes the primitives used in an 802.11 environment. S.a Enhancements to Standard 802.11 MAC Service Interface The ARMAs and SRMAs transmit and receive DRCP messages over a standard 802 MAC Service Interface, with some enhancement. The receive interface is enhanced in both the STA and the AP to allow the SRM and the ARM to indicate to the SRMA and ARMA respectively, the power at which DROP messages are received. In particular, the semantics of the 802.11 i~~-U~I~~AT~.indication service primitive are modified as shown by the underlined text, to add a received power parameter as follows:~~"~~-UY~~I'f~~-f~.i~die~ti~r~source address, destination address, routing information, data, reception status, priority, service class, received power The received power parameter specifies the signal strength, expressed in dBm, at which the MSDU was received. The received power value indicates the current level at which the sending device is heard, but does not provide an indication of whether or not the sending device is transmitting at full power. The potential power level at which a device might be heard can be determined when the transmit power backoff (i.e., the amount, in dB, by which the radio is turned down) in use by the device is also known. S.b Enhancements to the Standard X02.11 lVlana~ement Interface BSS I~escripti~n The BSSDescription Parameter contains a list of elements that describe the BSS. An additional element is added to this list:~atrae Ty a valid mange 1~cscrn to~n Received PowerInteger -1 to -99 Indicates the power (in dBm) at which the Beacon from this BSS was received.

Send I~RC'P This mechanism is provided to allow the A1~I~A1A to send L~P~~P I~~lessages encoded in X02.11 T'~Ianagement frames of type Beacon.lhILlI~E-SElIIl~DRCl'.request This primitive is used by the ARMA to request that the ARM send a DItCPMessage over the wireless media, encoded in an 502.11 Management frame of type Beacon. As shown in Figure 34, this is a special type of Beacon frame wherein the fixed portion of the Beacon frame is as defined as in the X02.11 standard, and the variable portion of the frame is replaced by a single information element that carries the DRCPmessage. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-SENDDRCP.request Destination Address Message Length DRCP Message Quiet Channel CTS Duration Name T a Valid~e ~ I~escri tion Destination MAC Address N/A A specific DRCP group MAC

Address address as appropriate to the masse a e.

Message LengthUnsigned 0..2312 Indicates the number of ~ctets Inte er in the DRCP Messa a field.

TRITE (1) associated to the AP should be quieted for the Beacon transfer by the transmission of a Clear To Send (CTS) frame imr~nediately prior to the Beacon transfer.

Name Type Valid Ran Descri tion a CTS Duration unsigned 16..255 sec Indicates the value to be integer placed in the duration field of the CTS frame. The value represents the time, in microseconds, required to transmit the pending Beacon frame, plus one short interframe space (SIFS) interval. This parameter is only used when the quiet channel arameter is true.

This primitive is generated by an ARMA to request that a DRCP Message be sent on the wireless media encoded in an 802.11 Management frame of type Beacon. DRCPClaim and Hello messages are sent in this manner. As previously described, the ARMAmay optionally quiet the channel before sending a DRCP Hello message by first by sending a CTS frame. In particular, if the Quiet Channel parameter is TRZJE, the ARMtransmits a Clear To Send (CTS) frame immediately prior to the Beacon transfer. The DROP Hello CTS Destination MAC Address is placed in the Receiver Address (RA) of the CTS frame. The duration iaeld of the CTS is set to the value of the CTS Duration parameter.The fixed portion of the Beacon frame is as defined in the 802.11 standard. The DA is set to the Destination Address parameter value, the SA is the AP's MAC address, and the BSS ID is the DRCP Default BSS-ID.. The variable portion of the frame is replaced by a single information element with an Element ID of DRCP Protocol, with a Length field value of the Message Length parameter and the Information field containing the DROP Message. MLME-SENDDRCP.confirm This primitive confirms the transmission of a DRCP message to the ARMA. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-SENDDRCP.c~nfirm ResultCode Name Ty a ~~ Valid Iran a ~~ Descri tion ResultCode Enumeration SUCCESS, Indicates the result of the II~ALID_PARAMETERS~ 1~L1~E-SEI~TDDRCP.request I~~T SLTPP~RTED

This primitive is generated by the MLME as a result of an ~iLME-SENDDRCP.request to send a DRCP message encoded in an 802.11 Management frame of type Eeacon. The AR1~A is thus notif ed of the result of the Send DRCP request. Power Mnnez~-enaen~ F"ab As previously described, one way that a STA can support periodic canvassing is to indicate to the AP that it is in power save mode, thereby causing the AP to buffer the STAB packets while the STA is canvassing. This mechanism supports a STA's ability to indicate to the AP that it is in power save mode, without actually going into power save mode. MLME-POWERMGTFIB. reguest This primitive requests the SME to use the power save mode interaction with the AP to allow time to canvass other channels. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-POWERMGTFIB.request Name Ty a Valid l2an a I)escg-i ti~n ~ Null N/A N/A No parameters This primitive is generated by an SRMA to cause the MLME to borrow part of tlae dope time (if the STA is in power save mode) or all of the dope time (if the STA is in active mode) in order to canvass other channels. This request causes the SRM to:1. save the current power management mode settings 2. set:a. power management = Power Save b. WakeLTp = FALSEc. ReceiveDTIMs = FALSE

3. signal the AP that it is using power management mode. This request prepares the SRM to:1. at the start of the power save cycle, signal the SRMA by sending an MLME-PSSTART.indication while actually keeping the power on.2. catch any user or net manager power mode management operations and cause them to use the saved settings, not the active settings.lIILI~IE-P~YINER~fGTFl~.c~~2firm This primitive confirms the change in power management mode to the SRMA. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-P01NERM~TFIE.confirm ResultCode J ~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~lgd~ ~~u~~

ResultCode Enumeration SU~GESS, Indicates the result of the INVALID_PARAhLETERS,III,l~E-PDWERT~I(aIe~IITFI~.req N~T SLTPP~RTED

This primitive is generated by the MLME as a result of an MLME-POWERMGTFIB.request to mimic power save mode. The SRMA is thus notified of the change of power mode indicated. Power Save Start This mechanism notifies the SRMA that it can begin to canvass. MLME-PSSTART. indieation This primitive indicates to the SRMA the start of the power save cycle. The STAdoes not actually power off its radio and enter the sleep state at this point, but preferably, it should not transmit outgoing frames after sending this indication until it receives an fit.i~E-PWi~i~~Gi~TFII~~~i~TIi~UE.request. The primitive parameters are as follows:This primitive is generated by an SME to indicate the start of power save cycle. The S1~MA is thereby notified of the start of the power save cycle. Power Management Restore ML.ME-PSSTART.indication This mechanism further supports a STA's ability to indicate to the AP that it is in power save mode, without actually going into power save mode. MLME-PWRMGMTRESTORE.request This primitive tells the MLME that it should restore the user-configured power save mode. This primitive allows the SRMA to tell the MLME that it no longer needs to lie to the AP about power save (that control over power save is passed back to the MLME). The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-PIn6RMGMTREST~RE.request ) I~taraae ~ T~r~e ~ salad I~an~e I ~escripti0ra Dull ~ ~/A I~/A 1~1o parameters This primitive is generated when the canvass mechanism is taken out of service. The receipt of this primitive causes the SRM to restore the saved power management mode settings and:l . if saved power mode was A~TI~IE, immediately force the awake state;2. if saved power mode was P~~EI~_SA~E, continue normal power save mode operation. MLME-PW12MGMT~'STORE°. eor f ~rz This primitive confirms the change in power management mode to the ShMA. The primitive parameters are as follows:

MLME-PWRMGMTRESTORE.confirm ResultCode Name T a ge _ Description Valid Ran ResultCode Enumeration. Indicates the result SUCCESS, of the INVALID_PAR.AMETERS,MLME.PWRMGMTRESTORE.rec NOT SUPPORTED

This primitive is generated by the MLME to confirm that the SME has executed an MLME-PWRMGMTRESTORE.request. It is not generated until the change has been indicated. Upon receipt of this primitive, the SRMA is notified of the change of power mode indicated.1~~~ve~-Itletnc~gernent F"ib ~'~ntinue Once canvassing is complete, this mechanism informs the SRMA that it "has control" of the radio and communicates power save state (awake or dope).~~I~I~~L-l' lr~~l(~II~IT~'I~C'~IVTllll Zl~. i-eqMesa' This primitive tells the MLME that it's safe to eater the awake state and transmit frames if desired. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-PWRMGMTFI13~O~TIPJIIE.request Name T pe Valid Ran a Descri tion Null N/A N/A No parameters This primitive is generated when the SRMA is has completed canvassing. Upon receipt, the MLME enables transmission of user data frames, if necessary. MLME-PYT~RMGMTFIBC~NTINUE. cofafirm This primitive confirms the change in allowed power management state. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-PWRMGMTFIBC~NTINUE.confirm ResultCode T~Tar~ne 1 T°~~e I valid ResultCode Enumeration SUCCESS, Indicates the result of the fNVALID_PARAMETERS, MLME.PWRMC~MTFIBCONTINtJE.rec NOT SUPP~RTEDThis primitive is generated by the IalLI~E to con~a~n that the ST~E has executed an I~d~Li~E-hW~I~i~l'~TFII~C~I~TI~dIIE.rcque~f. It is not gexaerated until the change has been indicated. Receipt by the SRMA serves as notification of the change ofthe allowed power save mode. Chezjzyael ~ut This mechanism supports the ability to indicate to an ARMA that a channel has gone out of service. MLME-CHANNELOUT.indication This primitive reports to the ARMA that a channel that was previously available has become unavailable. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-CHANNELOUT.indication Channel Name T a Valid Ran a Descri ti~n Channel Integer 0 - 255 Channel identifier This primitive is generated by the h'II,I~E when a channel becomes unavailable.Receipt of this primitive causes the AP~T~A to remove the channel from its channel map. Claar~r~ei In This mechanism provides the ability to indicate to an ART~A that a channel has gone into service. MLlIIE-CHANNELIN. iaadicati~ai This primitive reports to the ARMA that a channel that was previously unavailable has become available. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-CHANNELIN.indication Channel Name T a Valid Ran a Descri tion Channel Integer 0 - 255 Channel identifier This primitive is generated by the MLME when a channel becomes available. Receipt of this primitive causes the ARMA to add the channel to its channel map.l3eac~n Notify This mechanism supports tlae ability to detect any other APs using the same channel. I~ILt~E-~~~1 C'~tlTle~~Tl~"I'r~equ~st This primitive requests the MLME to notify the ARMA whenever a beacon is received. 'There is one indication for each )3eacon received. An indication is generated any time a Eeacon is received on the current channel. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-~EAC~NN~TIFIP.reque~t hTotify Enable Name T pe Valid Ran Description a Notify EnableBoolean True or FalseWhen True, indicates that the PIOTE is to be notified of any Beacons received. When False, this mechanism is to be disabled.

This primitive is generated by an ARMA when it wants to be notified of any beacons received on its own channel. Receipt of this primitive by an MLME causes the MLME to enable a mode whereby the ARMA will be notified if any Beacon is received. MLME-BEAC~NN~TIFhc~nfirm This primitive confirms the change in the beacon notification mechanism. The primitive parameters are as follows: I~~iLi~E-I3E~4~~1~1~90TIF~6'.c~n~irm ResultCode T~~lanae ~~~e ~~alid F'~aaa~,e ~e~cri ti~~a .

ResultGode Enumeration SUCCESS, Indicates the result of tlae IN~dALII7_P ETERS, MLME-BEACON1~TOTIFY.reqi NOT SLTPPORTEI~

This primitive is generated by the MLME as a result of an N1LME-BEAD~NN~TIFY.request. Reciept of this primitive by the ARMA serves as notification of the change of Beacon Notify as indicated.

MLME-BEACONNOTIFY. indicatio~z This primitive reports to the ARMA that a Beacon was received on the data channel. The primitive parameters are as follows: MLME-BEACONNOTIFY.indication BSSDescription Name Type Valid Description Ran a BSSDescriptionBSSDescription N/A The BSS Description (including any additional Description Elements defined in 0) pertaining to an individual Beacon that was received.

This primitive is generated by the IVTLl~rIE if a beacon is received on the data channel. Note that a separate ~~iLi~~E-BEACON4~OTIFY.indic~tion is generated for each beacon received, so the primitive parameter will only ever contain a single BSSDescription. Upon receipt: of this primitive, The Al~tl~, is notified of the Beacon and the signal strength at which it was received.c DI~CP I~~Iess yes Preferred Implementation The following describes the manner in which the above described primitives are used to implement DROP messages in an 802.11 environment. Figure 40 shows a summary of the DRCP messages that are used to implement the previously described functionality. Figure 41 shows field definitions used in DRCP messages, as follows: DRCP Preclaim Fig. 42 shows the format of the DROP Preclaim message. A DROP Preclaim message is encoded in an 802.11 Management frame of type Beacon. The ARMA sends a DRCP Preclaim message using the MLME-SENDDRCP.request management primitive with the following parameters: Destination Address - DRCP All ARMAs Ciroup MAC Address Message Length - 12 DROP Message - Preclaim Message Quiet Channel - FALSE (0) CTS Duration - 0 DR~'P Claim Fig. 43 shows the format of the DROP Claim message. A DROP Claim message is encoded in an 802.11 Management frame of type Beacon. The ARMA sends a DROP Claim message using the MLME-SENDDRCP.request manage~~aent primitive with the following parameters: Destination Address - DRCP All ARMAs CBroup MAC Address Message Length - I6 DRCP Message - Claim Message Quiet Channel - FALSE (0) CTS Duration - 0 DRCP Afznounce Figure 44 shows the format of the DROP Announce message. A DRCP Announce message is encoded in an 802.11 Management frame of type Beacon. The ARMA sends a DRCP Announce message using the MLME-SENDDRCP.request management primitive with the following parameters: Destination Address - DRCP All Agents Group MAC Address Message Length - 16 DRCP Message - Announce Message quiet Channel - FALSE (0) CTS Duration - 0 DROP did Figure 45 shows the format of the DRCP Bid message. A DRCP Bid message is encoded as an LLC 1 Unnumbered SNAP PDU in a data frame. The message is addressed to the Individual MAC Address of the AP in which the target ARMA is instantiated. 'The SRMA sends a DRCP Bid message over the standard MAC Sea-~ice Interface. DRCP ~4ccept Figure 46 shows the format of the DRCP Accept message. A DROP Accept message is encoded as an LLC 1 Unnumbered SNAP PDU in a data frame. The message is addressed to the Individual MAC Address of the STA in which the target SRMA is instantiated. The ARMA sends a DRCP Accept message over the standard MAC Service Interface for relay to the DS. DROP Registration Reguest Figure 47 shows the format of the DRCP Registration Request message. A DRCPRegistration Request message is encoded as an LLC 1 Unnumbered SNAP PDU in a data frame. The message is addressed to the Individual MAC Address of the AP in which the target ARMA is instantiated. The SRMA sends a DRCP Registration Request message over the standard MAC Service Interface for relay to the DS. DROP Registration tlelcri~~~le~lge Figure 48 shows the format of the DRCP Registration Acknowledge message. A DROP Registration Acknowledge message is encoded as an LLC 1 Unnumbered SNAPPDU in a data frarrae. The message is addressed to the Individual MAC Address of the AP in which the target SRI~IA is instantiated. The ARMA sends a DRCP Registration Request message over the standard MAC Service Interface for relay to the DS.6. Movement detection As previously described, APs and STAB ascertain movement based upon evaluation of short and long term averages of parameters, along with expected error measurements. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, movement detection is achieved through application of a broader inventive concept that provides a way to ascertain the dynamic attributes of a system based upon short and long term averages of discrete data measurements. The principles of this invention apply to any system in which a discretely measured variable may change widely. For purposes of clarity, however, the invention is now described in terms of its particular application to wireless networks.In a wireless network such as the one shown in Figure 1, a wireless networking user (heretofore also referred to as '6STA") is associated with an access point (AP). The AP provides associated users with network connectivity via radio frequency (hF) signals.Various APs are used to provide seamless I2F coverage, so that when the user moves away from one AP toward another AP, the user will associate with the closer AP (or the AP that is mare lightly loaded and sea~~aless network functionality is thereby maintained.It is therefore important to be able to ascertain the location of a user relative to ai' AP so that a determination can be made as to whether the user is currently moving. This allows the system to assure that the user rapidly becomes associated with the closest AP so the overall system performance is maximised. As a user moves toward or away from an AP, the received power level (i.e. the power of the I~F signal received by the user from the ~l AP) goes up or down respectively. Thus, one way to ascertain user movement is by monitoring received power levels. However, received power levels can appear to vary greatly even when a user is not moving. For example, the opening or closing of a doorway can cause either a gain or attenuation in the user's received power level. A person waving their hand near the user's antenna can even cause a gain or attenuation in received power level.Environmental interference can also cause changes in received power levels. These various changes in power level can cause a user to appear to be moving when in fact he or she is not. 'This can cause the user to roam needlessly between APs, particularly in environments where APs are close together and their transmit power levels are lower than maximum power. Alternatively, variations in signal power due to these effects can mask the fact that the user is indeed moving. In this case, the system could fail to detect the motion and fail to associate the user with the appropriate AP. Figure 49 shows an example graph of discrete measurements of received power vs. time for a user who is not moving. As can be seen, tl2e inaccuracies in data sampling prevent any assumption of movement in one direction or the other.As a more particular example, consider an X02.11 a wireless network. APs in such a net~rork provide a maximmr~ bandwidth of 54I~Ibps. )3andwidth drops with distance from the AP. Assume that adjacent APs have their transmit power adjusted so that each provides a 54 Mbps cell on the order of about 10 feet in diameter. A walking user might be able to transition through such a cell in 2 seconds. On the other hand, a user sitting at his desk (near the center of the cell, right next to the AP) who gets up and leaves travels only 5 ft, not 10 ft to the edge of the cell - so, it may take the user only just over a second to be in the aisle and out of the cell. These examples provide a motivation for why rapid power estimates based on discrete measurements must be made. Increasing sampling rates increases accuracy, but this also causes more overhead in terms of wireless channel bandwidth, interrupt activity and processing overhead on the user device. Some user devices could be simple appliances such as phones, digital assistants, etc. and have very limited processing power. So a trade-off must be made between sample rate and overhead.According to one possible implementation, power levels are measured at intervals over a window of time and a roaming decision is made. In an 502.11 a network, when a user is about lft from an AP whose power is set so that it has a 54~ Ie~Ibps cell which is about 10 ft in diameter, the user's true mean power level should be about -35dbm.Assume a 99% confidence interval around the true mean (i.e. the power level to be estimated) is desired. ~et~ there is a variability to the measurements because of environmental effects (laand waving, etc.) as well as inherent inaccuracy in the implementation measurement itself. Assume these inaccuracies and statistical variability in the data result in distribution of the data with a standard deviation, a = 15 dbm.Deferring to Figure 50, if only 5 samples are taken in such a statistical distribution, then the 99% confidence interval around this (true) mean is -23.4 dbm to -52.6 dbm.

The 99% confidence interval has a range of X52.6 - 23.4 = 29.2dbm, or about 30dbm. This is about ~15 dbm. So, because of the variability in the signal, if only 8 samples are taken, all that can be known is that the "taste power" lies somewhere between -23.4dbm and -52.6dbm and that such conclusion can be drawn with 99% assurance.If less accuracy can be tolerated, for example 95% or even 90% confidence, the resultant range would be narrower. But, lower confidence intervals increase the likelihood of "false positives". A false positive occurs when a user is ascertained to be moving when in fact he or she is not, causing the user to needlessly roam to another AP.It is desirable to minimize such false positives as they needlessly consume valuable bandwidth.S~Then a user doubles his or laer distance from an AP, the user's received power decreases by 6db. So, when a user moves from 1 foot away to 2 feet to 4 feet away from the AP (almost to the edge of the cell), the (true) average received power has decreased from-38dbm to -44dbm to -SOdbm respectively. But, as seen in Figure 51, when trying to estimate the a~rerage received pov~er from eight samples taken during this motion with a 99% confidence interval in the data, it cannot be ascertained that the user has moved.This is because the true mean is really unknown. All that is known is that it lies somewhere between -23.4dbm and -52.6dbm. So, when only these few samples are taken, it cannot be ascertained whether the user is moving away from the AP, getting closer to the AF, or not moving at all.

Of course increasing the number of samples taken decreases the range of error. If 20 power samples are taken, then the 99% confidence interval is -29.ldbm to -46.9dbm.But, taking lots and lots of samples will take too long unless channel overhead is increased.Now consider taking n samples to produce an estimate, and then taking n more to produce a second estimate. The two estimates are then compared to see if a conclusion can be drawn as to whether the user is moving. If the confidence intervals around each estimator are large, e.g. 99%, then there exists a spectrum of outcomes and again it cannot be ascertained as to whether the user is moving toward or away from the AP, or not moving at all. In Figure 51, to tell that the user is moving away from the AF" with 99°/~ assurance, the upper edge of the right confidence interval must be positioned below the lower edge of the left confidence interval. Consider two basic scenarios regarding motion in wireless networks:(1) The user stays in one place for a reasonable time and then moves to a new place. The user requires communication while moving but, the user tends to move and then stop and stay somewhere for a while. Or similarly, the user may move very slowly within one confined area, and then move more rapidly to another area.(2) The user is constantly in motion.In the instance of scenario #1, which describes the very large majority of user activity in wireless networks, the aecuracy of the power estimate can be greatly improved. In accordance with the principles of the invention, two averages of the received signal strength are maintained as above. But, one is the most recent N~ samples taken over a sliding window, and the other is a long term average, using N2 samples. So both a long term average and a short term average are maintained. Referring to Figure 52, the confidence interval around the long term average is very small. The error in the estimate is almost completely removed. Therefore, the potential uncertain outcomes in the decision are reduced. In Figure 53, when the user is moving away from the AP, the upper edge of the right confidence interval will fall below the long term average (which has essentially a confidence interval of close to ~Odb.) For a given application, one needs to ascertain how many samples (NZ ) must be taken such that the long term average estimate has essentially 0 error. Also, it is desirable to ascertain how few samples (NI) are needed in the short term average to be able to make a decision with 9~°~~ accuracy.Assume a user starts at a position 1 foot away from the AP and moves towards the edge of tlae 10 ft cell. The goal is to end out how fe~~r samples are required to ascertain that the user is moving with 99°/~ accuracy, in order to produce the most robust implementation from an overall performance perspective. If it were possible to "perfectly" measure power, a -6 db drop would be observed each time the user doubles his distance from the AP. Referring to Figure 54, if the power level is -3~ dbm when the user is at 1 foot, it is -44 dbm at 2 feet and -50 dbm at 4 feet which is almost at the edge of thecell. As can be seen in the Figure, when the short term average is -50 dbm and the ~6 upper edge of the 99% confidence interval is just below -3~ dbm, then the confidence interval has a width of ~l2db. To achieve such a confidence interval, 14 samples (Nl) are required in the short term, given the previously assumed standard deviation of the data, 6 = l5db. With these 14 samples, the 99% confidence interval is -60.7dbm < -50 <-39.2dbm.In this wireless network example, it has been assumed that a user can walk from the center of the cell to the edge of the cell in 1.5 seconds. So, samples need be taken every 1.5 = 14 - 100 milliseconds. As a further improvement, it would be desirable to use 16 samples so that division can be done by a processor via a shift operation. This increases computational efficiency on the user's machine. This increases the sample rate a negligible amount. Regarding the long term average, it may be reasonable to tolerate a ~1 db confidence interval around the long term estimate. The tighter this interval needs to be, the longer the user has to stay near the AP, or stay relatively stationary within a certain area, to cause the average to converge. It is desirable to calculate how little time the user needs to stay in place to achieve an accuracy of ~1 db with 99~/~ confidence. Assume, reasonably, that signal strength samples are taken based on messages received from the AP every 50 milliseconds. Referring to the table shown in Figure 54, it is seen that if the user stays near the AP (1 ft) for about 1.5 minutes, and samples occur every milliseconds, the accuracy of the power estimate becomes less than ~1 db.~7 The preferred implementation for the current wireless network example thus utilizes: (a) a short term average over N, =16 samples, (b) a long ternn average over 2048 samples, and (c) "NZ" which is the number of samples taken so far in computing the long term average. The process is as follows:(1) continually calculate the long term average. The long term average is not "stable"until at least 2000 samples have been taken. This takes 1.5 minutes at 50 milliseconds per sample. An implementation preferably accumulates 2048 samples to make the division a shift operation.(2) calculate a short term average with the most recent Nl = 16 samples. (16 is used instead of 14 so that the division is accomplished via a shift.) (3) ltdhen the difference between the short term and long term averages is greater than l2db then it is known with 99°/~ accuracy that the user is moving.(4) When the user roams to a new AP, the counter used to calculate the long term average samples is reset to 0. Then the long terb~n average is not stable again for another 2048 samples.In an environment where users tend to remain in a cell for less than 1 second, the long term estimate could be used based on fewer samples. However, this will result in an increased risk of false positives. Several alternatives can be considered to mitigate the occurrence of false positives:

(1) if the user has just arrived in a new cell (i.e. N2 s 32) then require at least 32 samples before allowing a power-based roaming decision. This puts some hysteresis into the system. There will be some false positives though. If the user roams to a new APand then back to the old one, false positives may be occurring. It may then help to require that NZ s 64 for example. This helps the confidence interval making it -42.8dbm < -38 < -33.ldbm.(2) Take into account the signaling rate. For example, the long term average accumulates while the number of samples (NZ) grows. But, if the user's data rate has dropped, then the user has moved outside the 54 Mbps inner circle by definition. Roaming should be initiated at this point.(3) ~nce a user has roamed to a new cell, the user should become "sticky" and try to stay there until the user is near the edge of the cell. Mere it may be useful to require that NZ z 128, for example, plus see the data rate drop. To generalize, in a system wherein particular dynamic attributes are to be ascertained (e.g. "is the wireless network user in motion"), short term and long term averages of a system variable (e.g. signal strength) are calculated. An acceptable difference between the short and long term averages is calculated which positively identifies the system characteristic (e.g. the user has moved.) Referring to Figure 55, the steps are generally as follows:

1. Define a system dynamic attribute to be ascertained (step 600). For example, in the wireless network example, the dynamic attribute to be ascertained is whether a user is moving. In the network usage example, the dynamic attribute to be ascertained is whether bandwidth for a user should be increased.2. Define a system variable to be monitored to ascertain the dynamic attribute (step 602). For example, in the wireless network example, the variable is received signal strength. In the network usage example, the variable could be number of packets injected onto the network by the user.3. Ascertain the statistical characteristics of the system variable measurements (step 604) . This will include specification and analysis of individual system and environmental factors that contribute t~ statistical variations in the system variable(s). In the wireless network example, the standard deviation of the signal strength measurement is affected by environmental noise, implementation imprecision, spatial events and motion. In the network usage example the standard deviation is affected by the degree of burstiness in the traffic generated by the user, the speed of the users computer, contention and interleaving effects with other network traffic, and higher layer network protocol parameters.4. Choose the range of the true mean for the system variable that would indicate that the dynamic system attribute has been identified (step 606). For example, in the wireless network example, when the true mean of the signal strength has changed by l2db, the system attribute- the user has moved - has been positively identified. In the network usage example, one may decide that when the true mean for number of packets injected into the network by a user has exceeded a threshold, the user's bandwidth should be increased.5. Pick a confidence interval based on the accuracy of decisions to be made regarding the dynamic system attribute (step 60~). The rate of "false positive"decisions and "false negative" decisions is controlled by how accurately the dynamic system attribute is estimated. Calculating that attribute with a higher confidence interval improves that accuracy. In the wireless network example, the confidence interval was 99%.6. Calculate the number of samples of the variable that must be taken such that the confidence interval around a given metric (such as the average) results in a spread that is minimized to a pre-determined amount based on the decision accuracy desired (step 610. In the wireless network example, this was +/- ldb.7. Set a long term average based on at least the number of samples obtained in step 6 (step 61 ~). (This average is cumulati~ye as opposed to a moving v,~indow.) liven the range chosen in step 4~, calculate the number of samples of the variable that must be taken such that the confidence interval around a given metric (such as the average) results in a spread that is less than the range (step 613). This calculation depends upon the standard deviation in a known manner. This calculation is well known in the field of statistics as "sample size estimation".Statistical studies which use a subset (N) of members of a population need to be designed so that inferences taken from the sample set are statistically significant and representative of the entire population. Specific knowledge, or implicit assumptions, regarding the statistical characteristics of the dynamic system variables obtained in Step 3 are used to compute the sample set size. For more information on known statistical methods for sample size computation, reference is made to "Statistical Analysis", Sam Kash Kachigan, Radius Press, NY 1986 (ISBN: 0-942154-99-1), and in particular to Section 8-11, pg 157, "Parameter Estimation, Sample Size Selection for Limiting Error", and Section 9-10, pg 189, "Sample Size Selection for Desired Power"9. Set a short term average moving window based on the number of samples obtained in step 8 (step 614.).

10. Calculate the absolute difference between the long term average and the short term average (step 516). If the difference is greater than the range chosen in step 4, then the dynamic system attribute has been positively identified (step 618). In the wireless network example, when the difference exceeded the range, it was known with 99°f~ confidence that the user was moving or had moved. In the network usage example, if the difference between short term average packet count and long term average packet count exceeds the chosen range, this indicates that the user should be granted higher bandwidth. If the difference between the long term average and the short term average is greater than the range chosen in step 4, then the dynamic system attribute has not been positively identified (step 620), and Nl moving window samples continue to be collected.In Figure 56 there is shown a block diagram showing a wireless networking system that implements the invention. A user (STA 16) communicates with an AP 12 over the wireless network. The user sends messages to the AP that indicate the received signal strength from the AP as perceived by the user. These messages are collected by the AP(640). A processor 642 in the AP uses the messages to compute the short and long term averages according to the process as described in Figure 55. When it is ascertained that the user has moved, an indication 644 is set.In Figure 57 there is shown a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a wireless networking system that implements the invention. A user device (STA 16) communicates with an AP over the wireless network. The user message collection mechanism 646 receives messages from the AP and monitors the received signal strength of the messages. A processor or hardware state machine 64~ in the user device uses the sign ~1 strength of the messages to compute tl-ae short and long term averages according to the process as described in Figure 55. When the user device ascertains that it is moving, the user sends an indication or message 650 to the AP requesting to roam.In Figure 5~ there is shown one mechanism that can be used by the processor in the implementations of either Figure 56 or Figure 57 to maintain the short and long term averages needed to perform the process of Figure 55 to ascertain movement. Two ring buffers 652 and 654 are maintained - one for the short term average and one for the long term average. Ring buffers are used so that power sample averaging can be accomplished over a sliding window in time. In a ring buffer, as a new sampled is added to the buffer, the oldest sample is removed. In the wireless networking example previously described, the short term average ring buffer stores the most recent 16 samples, and the long term average ring buffer stores on the order of 1024 or samples. Of course these sample sizes will vary depending on the application. It may also be reasonable to use an accumulator-based average for the long term average, but such an approach could be subject to buffer overflow.A short term average 656 and long term average 658 are calculated based on the contents of the respective ring buffers 652 and 654. A comparator 660 uses a stored allowed range 662 and the short term average 556 and long term average 658 to produce the movement indication 650 in accordance with the process of Figure 55.In Figure 59 there is~shown an alternate mechanism that can be used by the processor in either Figure 57 or Figure 56 to maintain the short and long term averages needed to perform the process of Figure 55 to ascea-tain movement. According to this mechanism, a ring buffer accumulates a small number of samples, for e:~ample 16, for computation of the short term average . Each short term average computation is saved (656a -656n).After a certain number of short term averages have been computed and saved, the long term average is computed as the average of all the accumulated short term averages. This approach is known as "hatched means". This approach is advantageous for use in systems containing limited memory resources.

Though the above described aspects of the invention have been exemplified as they apply to wireless networks and, in some particularity, 802.11 networks, it will be clear to the skilled practitioner that the invention can be employed in any wireless communications environment, including wireless data networks, wireless phone networks, and wireless Il0 channels. All aspects of the invention may be implemented in either hardware or software. The preferred embodiment has been described as a software architecture because of its advantageous ease of portability between various hardware platforms. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, embedded device microprocessor (such as that found in an AP or STA), or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create ~xaeans for implementing tlae functions specif ed in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that programs defining the functions of the present invention can be delivered to a computer in many forms;including, but not limited to: (a) information permanently stored on non-writable storage media (e.g. read only memory devices within a computer such as R~M or CI)-R~Mdisks readable by a c~mputer I/~ attachment); (b) information alterably stored on writable storage media (e.g. floppy disks and hard drives); or (c) information c~nveyed t~a c~mputer through communicate~n media for example using baseband signaling or broadband signaling techniques, including carrier wave signaling techniques, such as over computer or telephone netw~rks via a modem. While the invention is described through the above exemplary embodiments, it will be underst~~d by th~se of ~rdinar-y skill in the art that modification t~ and variation ~f the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the inventive concepts herein disclosed. Moreover, while the preferred embodiments are described in connection with various illustrative pr~gram command structures, one skilled in the art will recognize that tlae system may be embodied using a variety of specific command structures. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited except by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (33)

We claim:

1. Apparatus for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising:logic for keeping track of one or more parameters related to stations in the network;logic for causing a station to become associated with the access point based upon the one or more parameters.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the logic for keeping track includes logic for receiving messages from stations, and wherein the messages include at least some of the one or more parameters.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a parameter is the number of stations associated with the access point.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the parameter is the distance of a station from the access point.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least some of the one or more parameters are stored in a table.

6. Apparatus for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising:logic for keeping track of one or more parameters related to stations in the network, wherein the logic for keeping track includes logic for receiving messages from stations, and wherein the messages include at least some of the one or more parameters;wherein a parameter may be the number of stations associated with the access point, and wherein another parameter may be the distance of a station from the access point; and logic for causing a station to become associated with the access point based upon the one or more parameters.

7. A method for use by an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising the steps of:keeping track of one or more parameters related to stations in the network;causing a station to become associated with the access point based upon the one or more parameters.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of keeping track includes logic for receiving messages from stations, and wherein the messages include at least some of the one or more parameters.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein a parameter is the number of stations associated with the access point.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the parameter is the distance of a station from the access point.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least some of the one or more parameters are stored in a table.

12. A method for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising the steps of:keeping track of one or more parameters related to stations in the network by receiving messages from stations, wherein the messages include at least some of the one or more parameters;wherein a parameter may be the number of stations associated with the access point, and wherein another parameter may be the distance of a station from the access point; and causing a station to become associated with the access point based upon the one or more parameters.

13. A program product for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, the program product comprising a computer readable medium having embodied therein a computer program for storing data, the computer program comprising:logic for keeping track of one or more parameters related to stations in the network;logic for causing a station to become associated with the access point based upon the one or more parameters.

14. The program product of claim 13 wherein the logic for keeping track includes logic for receiving messages from stations, and wherein the messages include at least some of the one or more parameters.

15. The program product of claim 14 wherein a parameter is the number of stations associated with the access point.

16. The program product of claim 14 wherein the parameter is the distance of a station from the access point.

17. The program product of claim 16 wherein at least some of the one or more parameters are stored in a table.

18. A program product for use-in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, the program product comprising a computer readable medium having embodied therein a computer program for storing data, the computer program comprising:logic for keeping track of one or more parameters related to stations in the network, wherein the logic for keeping track includes logic for receiving messages from stations, and wherein the messages include at least some of the one or more parameters;wherein a parameter may be the number of stations associated with the access point, and wherein another parameter may be the distance of a station from the access point; and logic for causing a station to become associated with the access point based upon the one or more parameters.

19. Apparatus for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising:logic for collecting bid messages from stations, each bid message including a parameter related to the distance between the access point and the station;logic for sending an accept message to one of the stations from which a bid message was received, the accept message for causing the station to associate with the access point.

20. The apparatus of claim 19-wherein the logic for sending an accept message sends an accept message to the station whose bid message included the parameter indicating the largest change in distance.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the accept message is sent only if a maximum number of station associations has not been exceeded.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising logic for maintaining a table including an entry for each station from which a bid message has been received, each entry including the parameter.

23. Apparatus for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising:logic for collecting bid messages from stations, each bid message including a parameter related to the distance between the access point and the station;logic for maintaining a table including an entry for each station from which a bid message has been received, each entry including the parameter.logic for sending an accept message to the station in the table having the parameter indicating the closest distance, the accept message for causing the station to associate with the access point.

24. A method for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising:collecting bid messages from stations, each bid message including a parameter related to the distance between the access point and the station;sending an accept message to one of the stations from which a bid message was received, the accept message for causing the station to associate with the access point.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of sending an accept message sends an accept message to the station whose bid message included the parameter indicating the largest change in distance.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the accept message is sent only if a maximum number of station associations has not been exceeded.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of maintaining a table including an entry for each station from which a bid message has been received, each entry including the parameter.

28. A method for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, comprising:collecting bid messages from stations, each bid message including a parameter related to the distance between the access point and the station;

maintaining a table including an entry for each station from which a bid message has been received, each entry including the parameter; and sending an accept message to the station in the table having the parameter indicating the closest distance, the accept message for causing the station to associate with the access point.

29. A program product for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, therein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, the program product comprising a computer readable medium having embodied therein a computer program for storing data, the computer program comprising:logic for collecting bid messages from stations, each bid message including a parameter related to the distance between the access point and the station;logic for sending an accept message to one of the stations from which a bid message was received, the accept message for causing the station to associate with the access point.

30. The program product of claim 29 wherein the logic for sending an accept message sends an accept message to tile station whose bid message included the parameter indicating the largest change in distance.

31. The program product of claim 30 wherein the accept message is sent only if a maximum number of station associations has not been exceeded.

32. The program product of claim 29 further comprising logic for maintaining a table including an entry for each station from which a bid message has been received, each entry including the parameter.

33. A program product for use in an access point in a wireless communications environment including multiple access points and stations, wherein stations gain network access by associating with one or more of the access points, the program product comprising a computer readable medium having embodied therein a computer program for storing data, the computer program comprising:logic for collecting bid messages from stations, each bid message including a parameter related to the distance between the access point and the station;logic for maintaining a table including an entry for each station from which a bid message has been received, each entry including the parameter.logic for sending an accept message to the station in the table having the parameter indicating the closest distance, the accept message for causing the station to associate with the access point.

CA002516837A2003-02-242004-02-18System, method, and apparatus for associating access points with stations in a wireless network
AbandonedCA2516837A1
(en)

Determining distance between two transmitter-receiver stations, e.g. for vehicle keyless entry, involves determining coincidence time points in stations corresponding to times at which transmitted, received microwave pulses coincide

Determining distance between two transmitter-receiver stations, used for vehicle keyless entry, involves weighted summation of count sums allocated to each message corresponding to sum/mean of counter value determined during reception

Method and system for selecting and providing a relevant subset of Wi-Fi location information to a mobile client device so the client device may estimate its position with efficient utilization of resources